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MEMOIR 

OF THE 

LIFE AND MINISTRY ^a 

MR. WILLIAM BRAMWELL, 

LATELY AN 

ITINERANT METHODIST PREACHER: 



WITH EXTRACTS FROM HIS INTERESTING AND 
EXTENSIVE CORRESPONDENCE. 



BY JAMES SIGSTON, 

^.TJEEN-SQUARE ACADEMY, LEEDS. 



Third American Edition. 



NEW-YORK, 

PUBLISHED BY J. EMORY AND B. WAUGH, FOB THE METHODIST 

EPISCOPAL CHURCH, AT THE CONFERENCE OFFICE, 

14 CROSBY-STREET. 

J. Collord, Printer. 
1830. 






W 



, y\j 



LC Control Number 




tmp96 027331 




PREFACE. 



I was intimately acquainted with the late holy 
and highly respected William Bramwell. In the 
course of the following narrative, it will appear that 
I had long been honoured with his friendship and 
correspondence, and that his death occurred only a 
few minutes after he had left my house. From 
these and other circumstances, I was induced, at the 
earnest solicitations of his friends, to undertake the 
preparation of this Memoir of his Life and Ministry. 
It is a source of lamentation to me, that I have not 
been able to present an account of my much esteem- 
ed friend, more worthy of his excellences and of the 
notice of the religious public. 

Many causes have conspired to hinder the com- 
pletion of a good memoir. — When Mr. Bramwell 
was in the Hull circuit, he destroyed his valuable 
diary, the contents of which would unquestionably 
have furnished a rich entertainment to every Chris* 
tian. With the motives which induced him to com- 
mit those excellent manuscripts to the flames, I am 
not perfectly acquainted. I have been informed by 
a friend, who conversed with him on the subject 
that he said many of the particulars were of so ex- 
traordinary a nature, that he thought that they would 
almost be considered as enthusiastic and vision- 
ary ; but I have reason to believe, that he saw the 
impropriety of this act, several years before his 
death. Some of Mr. BramwelPs friends had pro- 
mised to contribute a few papers in illustration of 
this Account of his Life ; but in several instances 
these promises have been unfulfilled, either through 
forgetfulness, negligence, or the paramount demands 



4 PREFACE. 

of other engagements. A great disparity of style 
will be perceptible in different parts of the memoir ; 
as it will be seen that the same excellences are 
treated by different writers, chiefly in their own 
words. But by candid readers this diversity will not 
be regarded as any disparagement to the work ; they 
will rather be pleased to find, in the mouth of two 
or three witnesses, every word established respecting 
the virtues of Mr. BramwelL All the accounts, 
however varied in style, unite in correctly represent- 
ing his love to God, "his yearning pity for mankind," 
and his intense desire for their salvation. These 
powerful motives were in constant exercise on hfe 
mind, and incited him to the performance of labours 
innumerable. It is probable that there have been 
but few Christian ministers since the days of the 
apostles, who have made greater exertions to bring 
to the fold of Christ the fallen sons of men, and 
whose labours have been more signally owned by the 
great Head of the Church. 

But though the destruction of his journal, the 
unfulfilled promises of several friends, and the differ- 
ence of style, have rendered this Memoir an irregu- 
lar kind of composition ; yet I trust that every hum- 
ble follower of our Lord Jesus Christ will be edified 
and instructed by the living traits of holiness which 
it exhibits. Some of the anecdotes may, in the view 
of cool and calculating characters, seem to savour 
too much of enthusiasm. But this cannot be charged 
on Mr. Bramwell as a fault ; for he has left behind 
him no written account of any of these transactions, 
and was seldom known to speak of them, even in 
the presence of those who had the happiness of enjoy- 
ing his most intimate friendship. Yet it is not attempt- 
ed to be denied, that his was the noble enthusiasm of 
exerting all his powers to give effect to the gracious 
purposes of God among the perishing sons of Adam. 



PREFACE. O 

Without a goodly portion of this noble feeling, no 
man ever yet excelled in any profession : Why then 
should it be the subject of blame, only in the profes- 
sion of religion 1 Can any man be too zealous in the 
promotion of the vital interests of godliness ? This 
is impossible. 

On such a theme His impious to be calm : 
Passion is reason ; transport, temper here. 

Young. 

The publication of this work has been retarded on 
various accounts, and the Christian world have 
consequently felt greatly disappointed. My own 
avocations are so numerous that I could not have 
undertaken to prepare this Memoir for the press, 
without availing myself of the assistance of some 
literary friend ; and I here return my sincere thanks 
to Mr. Nichols, (whose talents are well known to 
the world,) for his kind assistance and advice in 
various parts of the work. It was a subject of regret 
to me, that when I contemplated the early comple- 
tion of the Memoir by the continuance of his aid, I 
was suddenly deprived of it, at the close of last De- 
cember, by his removal to London. 

And now, if this humble attempt to do justice to 
the character and labours of this eminently faithful 
minister of the Gospel, shall excite an earnest wish 
in his junior brethren to imitate his conduct, or an 
increased desire in the people for the attainment oi 
that holiness of heart and life which he inculcated 
and exemplified ; — in short, if this volume be made 
a blessing to any who peruse it, my object in the 
publication will be gained, and to God alone shall 
all the glory be ascribed. 

James Sigston. 

Queen-Square Academy, Leeds, 
April 21st, 1820. 



ADVERTISEMENT* 



The success which has attended the sale of the 
iirst edition of this Memoir, and the very favourable 
reception given to it by the religious public, are cir- 
cumstances which have afforded me real pleasure, 
and not the less on account of the emolument which 
will thus accrue to Mrs. Bramwell. In the absence 
of all pretensions to literary fame from the execution 
of the work, (my labour having been little more than 
that of compilation, arrangement, and correction,) 
it is yet most gratifying to find that the perusal of it 
has been attended with much spiritual benefit both 
to saints and sinners : This is the result for which I 
was most anxious, and I thank God that it has been 
granted to me. 

The supercilious manner in which certain portions 
of the Memoir have been viewed by a few profane 
persons has been no serious abatement to this grate- 
ful feeling. For, as the preceding preface will show, 
I had calculated, that so long as "the carnal mind is 
enmity against God," it cannot receive " the things of 
the Spirit" however clearly revealed or accurately 
expressed. To such persons these subjects "are 
foolishness ; they cannot know them, because they are 
spiritually discerned" J. S. 

Leeds, October 4, 1820. 



MEMOIR 

OF 

alR. WILL.IAM BRAMWELL 

CHAPTER I. 

Mr. Bramwell's birth, parentage, and education — His father's excellent 
instructions— Anecdote — The moral qualities of his youth— Early 
indisposition — His antipathy to settling in Liverpool — He is bound 
apprentice to a currier. 

Mr. William Bramwell, the subject of this me- 
moir, was born in February, in the year 1759, at Els- 
wick, (a village nearly ten miles from Preston,) in the 
parish of Saint Michael, Lancashire. His parents, 
George and Elizabeth Bramwell, had a family of eleven 
children, of whom William was the tenth. Mrs. Har> 
greave, of Westgate Hill, near Birstal, and Mrs. Jones, 
of Liverpool, are now the only surviving members of 
this once large and flourishing family. The others 
have accomplished their warfare, and are gathered to 
their fathers. When we contemplate the disappear- 
ance of whole families, with many of whom the best 
affections of our hearts have long been associated, may 
we not join in the exclamation of the man of God, — 
" Your fathers, — where are they? And the prophets t 
— do they live for everl" 

Mr. BramwelFs parents were warmly attached to 
the Established Church ; and, according to the light 
which they possessed, educated their children in the 
nurture and admonition of the Lord. But their reli- 
gious views were exceedingly circumscribed. Nor 
were they singular in this respect ; for spiritual dark- 
ness at that period nearly enveloped this Christian 
land. The gospel light introduced at the time of the 
Reformation had dwindled away into obscurity ; and 
"blind leaders of the blind 13 were too frequently the 



b MEMOIR OF 

only guides of the people. Mr. Bramwell's native 
village, and several other towns in Lancashire, were 
among the most benighted parts of England. The 
Roman Catholics then composed, and still form, a 
considerable part of the population of that county. 
The members of other denominations therefore as- 
sumed not a little consequence from being styled Pro- 
testants. Without possessing greater spiritual light 
than their Popish neighbours, they considered this 
name as the test of religion, and the passport to 
sanctity. 

A chapel of ease, called Cop Chapel, was the place 
of worship frequented by Mr. Bramwell's parents. 
Though it was situated about a mile from their house, 
yet, whatever might be the state of the weather, they 
were scrupulously exact in attending the service of the 
church, with all their family, every sabbath. It was 
their earnest wish, that their children should be obser- 
vant of every moral obligation, and attentive to all the 
duties of life. Beyond this, their ideas of pure reli- 
gion had never extended. In love with the form of 
godliness, they were destitute of its power. They did 
not perceive the necessity of constant divine influence 
and of spiritual regeneration. A rigid adherence to 
the ceremonies of the church, was the highest stand- 
ard of their piety ; and none of their children could be 
guilty of a more grievous offence against them than 
that of absenting themselves from the church service, 
or resorting to the meeting house of some other deno- 
mination. Mr. Bramwell's father was particularly 
reserved towards his children. On this account, they 
were prevented from* making him their confident, and 
could approach him with no other feeling than that of 
awe or dread. 

It was, however, a great benefit to Mr. Br am well, 
that he was blessed with parents whose knowledge and 
practice so nearly coincided. We are at this day in 
the habit of looking back with pity and compassion on 
the ignorance of those elder times, and of expressing 
our thankfulness for the superior illumination of these 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 9 

our glorious days. And in this we act aright, if the 
retrospect incline us to improve our privileges. But 
vvith our uncommon advantages, would there be any 
misapplication of Scripture, if this passage were re- 
peated to us? — ll Wo unto thee, Chorazin ! Wo unto 
thee, Bethsaida ! for if the mighty works which were 
done in you had been done hi Tyre and Sidon, they 
would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes !" 

From his parents, whose religious attainments, it is 
seen, were very limited, Mr. Bramwell imbibed the 
most profound veneration for the Lord's day. And 
indeed what man ever attained to any eminence in 
piety, who was not very scrupulous in his regard to 
the sabbath ? As an instance of his extreme tender- 
ness of conscience in this respect, it may be stated, 
that, during his apprenticeship, he was much attached 
to botanical pursuits, and kept a number of curious 
plants and shrubs in the window of his lodging-room. 
Although some of them, from their delicacy, required 
particular care and attention, yet if he had neglected 
to water them on the Saturday evening, and found 
them drooping in consequence on the Sunday, he 
would not by watering them commit an act which he 
considered a breach of the observance of that sacred 
day, but postponed it until the following morning. 

Proper attention to the sabbath must always lead in 
its train a corresponding love for the word of God, and 
regular habits of perusing it. In Mr. G. BramwelPs 
family, this was a part of the required duties of that 
holy day. All the children had their portion of read- 
ing assigned them, and were taught to regard the 
sacred volume as a revelation of mercy from heaven. 

How salutary has an early knowledge of the Scrip- 
tures often proved ! The holy principles which they 
inculcate, frequently remain latent in the youthful 
breast until they are elicited by providential circum- 
stances. Then it is that their peculiar importance and 
gracious effects are very perceptible. Under the in- 
fluence of the Holy Spirit, the word of God has been 
silently "preparing the way of the Lord;" and when 



10 MEMOIR OP 

once the heart has been inflamed by a spark of grace, 
the subjects of this divine change have themselves been 
amazed at the readiness with which they could bring 
out of the treasure house of their memory, things new 
and old. 

We may see the effect which this early acquaint- 
ance with Scripture truth produced in the mind of 
the Rev. John Newton, the friend of the poet Cowper. 
The portions of God's word which he had read when 
but four years of age, were brought to his recollection 
above twenty years afterwards, at the time of his short 
captivity on the coast of Africa. He wondered at the 
great harvest which had been almost unconsciously 
husbanded ; and when he was not possessed of a Bible 
to which he could have recourse, and which, with the 
perverse feelings which he then evinced, he would 
have been unwilling to peruse, — his unassisted memory 
furnished him with supplies in abundance. At forty 
years of age, by a wonderful train ofcircumstances, he be- 
came a minister in the Established Church, and during 
a space of nearly half a century edified the age in which 
he lived, and left materials in his writings for instruct- 
ing future generations. To a similar early initiation in 
scriptural knowledge, we may attribute the same effects 
in Mr. William Bramwell. It was owing to this cause 
that he became a good textuary, and with the utmost 
ease acquired the habit of referring to the Scriptures 
for the proof and illustration of the doctrines which he 
preached. 

By his parents Mr. Bramwell was also instructed in 
a strict regard to truth. And this was not inculcated 
by precept or exhortation alone, but happily recom- 
mended by practice. His father, like the great Epa- 
minondas, never told a lie, even in jest. Of whatever 
importance the affair might be in which George Bram- 
welFs name was mentioned, if it were known that he 
had sanctioned any thing by his affirmation, his neigh- 
bours considered his word to be decisive, and required 
no farther proof of the authenticity of that matter. 
For the same humble imitation of the God of truth, his 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 11 

son William was equally distinguished. Even in his 
unconverted state, this was a virtue which he con- 
stantly practised, and from the observation of which he 
never receded. On no occasion could he be enticed 
or intimidated to betray its interests or disobey its dic- 
tates ; and, in certain instances, in which a person of 
less firmness would have wavered, — fearless of conse- 
quences, he asserted the truth with the boldness of a 
lion. Unimpeachable veracity is so rare among man* 
kind, that the wicked themselves display a kind of 
supernatural respect for the manly character in which 
it is found. It is indeed a legible trace of the Deity, 
which commands universal admiration, and on which 
the most sublime virtues have a firm foundation. 
All these instructions forwarded the operations of 
divine grace in his mind : — At the early age of seven 
years, while he was yet under the roof of his father, he 
was favoured with the awakening visits of God's Holy 
Spirit ; he had powerful convictions of sin, and deeply 
felt the necessity of a change in his heart and affec- 
tions. These religious feelings never left him, till he 
experienced the great blessing of a sound conversion. 

In his childhood Mr. Bramwell was much afflicted 
with the ague and other disorders. He had the small 
pox when he was six years of age ; and such was the 
excruciating bodily anguish which he felt when this 
disease had reached its crisis, that, in a paroxysm of 
pain, he ran out of the house, threw himself into a 
pond and was completely immersed in the water. But 
He who ;C guards the sacred heirs of heaven," had his 
own gracious purposes to answer by him, and suffered 
no farther evil consequences to ensue from this invo- 
luntary act, than some large boils or blisters which arose 
on his skin, by which for some time nature endea- 
voured to cast off her surfeit. These did not cause 
great irritation or pain, but were very troublesome ; 
and while they remained he was ordered to be confined 
to his room. Much of his time was then spent in 
singing psalms in bed. At length all the bad effects 



J 2 MEMOIR OF 

of his indisposition left him ; and he gradually re- 
covered his former health and vigour. 

Singing was, indeed, always a delightful exercise to 
Mr. Bramwell. Nature had given him a* fine mellow 
voice, well adapted to sacred music ; until his subse- 
quent excessive labour and exertions in the ministerial 
office had robbed it of its sweetness. 

From his infancy he had been well instructed in 
church psalmody, his vocal powers having early ren- 
dered him a favourite among the singers at Cop Cha- 
pel. When a child he had a place assigned him in the 
singers' pew, where a stool was set to elevate him, that 
his voice might be heard by the whole congregation. 

He received such an education as the means of 
instruction in the village of Elswick could afford. 
Knowledge had not in those days given itself that 
elastic bound, which it has since done. The qualifi- 
cations which were then considered necessary for young 
persons in the middle ranks of society were not nu- 
merous, and few persons could enjoy even the whole 
of these advantages. In the~ course of this narrative, 
it will be perceived how sedulously he applied himself 
to remedy the defects which he had experienced in his 
education, and what great success crowned his endea- 
vours. 

The early part of his youth was spent at home. His 
father, who was a farmer, _and possessed of a small 
landed property, employed him for some time in agri- 
cultural affairs ; but when he had nearly attained the 
age of sixteen years, he was sent to Liverpool to reside 
with his eldest brother John, who was a merchant of 
great respectability in that town. It was intended that 
William should have been brought up to that profes- 
sion ; but after a short time his disinclination to that 
calling was so manifest, that his parents desired him 
to return home ; and he was not backward in adopting 
their advice. His chief ground of dissatisfaction was, 
that the situation militated against his religious pur- 
suits. His reason informed him, that the seductive dis- 
sipation of a gay seaport, and the opportunities which he 



rs 



MR. \V. BRAMWELL. 13 

would there have of indulging himself in its plea- 
sures, were circumstances ill suited to promote the 
higher objects that he had in view. As he was at this 
period very ignorant of vital godliness, he did not per- 
ceive how great a disparagement it was to the grace 
of God, to distrust its sufficiency in preserving him 
faithful and incorrupt in an honest calling, however 
numerous and great his temptations might prove* 
Yet, to the close of his life, he was accustomed to 
speak of his residence in Liverpool with horror and 
disgust; and always thanked God that he had been 
providentially called to escape from the snares and pol- 
lutions with which it abounded. He frequently de- 
clared it to be his settled belief, that had he remained 
much longer in Liverpool, he would have been ruined 
for ever. It is remarkable that only a few weeks be- 
fore he died, when he was recalling this circumstance 
to memory in company with Mrs. Bramwell, he ex- 
pressed his gratitude to God for delivering him from 
these temptations. 

Soon after he had left Liverpool, he engaged him- 
self, with the approbation of his parents, as an appren- 
tice to Mr. Brandreth, a currier in Preston. He had 
not been long in this new occupation, before he had a 
severe attack of disease in his chest and stomach. 
The complaint with which he was afflicted assumed 
for some time the appearance of a deep consumption : 
but by the blessing of God on the means which were 
used to remove this indisposition, he gradually reco- 
vered. 

His situation was now very comfortable. Mr. Bran- 
dreth, though not himself a religious man, placed the 
greatest confidence in his apprentice, and highly 
valued him for his unimpeachable honesty and integ- 
rity, — qualities of far greater importance in trade than 
the narrow-minded slaves of sin are willing to allow. 
An instance of the sterling excellence of these virtues 
occurred soon after he went into his master's employ : 
The person who acted as salesman and retailed goods 
to the customers, was in the habit of giving a more 

2 



i4 MEMOIR OF 

glowing description of his articles than plain imtk 
would warrant. When those persons hesitated to re- 
ceive his testimony, he generally appealed for a corro- 
boration to any of the apprentices that were present. 
The first time William Bramwell was applied to in 
this manner he instantly replied, "No, sir. The 
quality of that leather is not so good as you have repre- 
sented it !" As several persons in the trade were pre- 
sent, when he gave this answer, they conceived the 
highest opinion of his veracity and uprightness. This 
anecdote was soon circulated ; in consequence of 
which, his virtue was honoured, and his character be- 
came established with all those by whom he was 
known. His master might have been displeased by 
this marked preference shown to one who was yet 
quite a stripling : but he soon experienced the advan- 
tage of this mode of transacting business, by the great 
increase of customers that it brought: " For the Lord 
blessed his master's house for William's sake, and the 
blessing of the Lord was upon all that he had in the 
house." He had also discovered several malepractices 
among his fellow apprentices, and, without hesitation 
or fear of the evil which the delinquents might practise 
against him, acquainted his master with the knavery. 
This procured Mr. Brandreth's respect and good will, 
and he was fully convinced, that such an apprentice 
was invaluable ; and that every act of his would be 
performed with a particular view to his master's in- 
terest. 

Although Mr. Bramwell was thus esteemed by his 
master, it was rather as a faithful and valuable servant, 
in whom he could repose entire confidence, than as a 
person cultivating with all his heart the fear of God. 
Mr. Brandreth, so far from being religious, was en- 
tirely ignorant of the nature and power of genuine 
Christianity. The punctilious fear of offending the 
Supreme Being, the zealous earnestness in prayer, and 
preparation for eternity, which he beheld in Mr. 
Bramwell, he ascribed to the enthusiasm of an over- 
heated mind. It was this ignorance which induced 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 15 

him to say, <( Wm. Bramwell is mad in these things, 
yet, as a servant he is inestimable." To this also 
must be imputed the degree of persecution which Mr. 
B. suffered for religion. The ardour and zeal of his 
mind in perusing the oracles of divine truth, could not 
escape the observation of any one who knew him. He 
prosecuted this study to a very late hour in the night, 
when he had retired to his chamber. To render these 
pursuits impossible, he was allowed no candles in the 
evening. When he was deprived of this resourse he 
still persevered in the attainment of divine knowledge, 
and when the family was retired to rest, laying him- 
self down on the hearth, as near the fireplace as pos- 
sible, by the remnant of the fire he read as long as the 
binders aftonjpd any light. Mr. Bramwell has been 
often heard to relate this circumstance as one of the 
greatest privations he ever endured, and to urge others 
to make a right use of those privileges which were in 
this instance denied to him. 

Yet opposition in all its forms was rendered very 
helpful to his improvement ; as it caused him to be 
more solicitous in devoting every moment of leisure 
during the day to the perusal of the Sacred Records 
and other books of instruction. He seized with avidity 
every opportunity of increasing his knowledge of di- 
vine things ; and this earnestness soon turned to good 
account. 



CHAPTER II. 

Mr. Bramweii's convictions — His alarming distress of mind — His acts 
of austerity and mortification — The anguish of his spirit injures his 
health— He receives the sacrament for the first time—In that ordi- 
nance he obtains a sense of God's pardoning love— His great zeal for 
the honour of God—He associates with the church singers, and loses 
much of the consolation which he had felt — He becomes acquainted 
with a man of piety — After many conflicts, he goes to hear the 
Methodists, and joins the society. 

The salutary effects of the instruction and example of 
Mr. BramwelPs parents, have been already noticed. 
During his apprenticeship, his previous convictions 
sere increased in an extraordinary manner. One 



16 



MEMOIR OF 



Sunday evening, while on his return from Elswick. 
where he had been to visit his parents, their great 
kindness to him was suddenly and forcibly brought to 
his recollection. At the same time he began to reflect 
with the greatest shame and confusion on his nume- 
rous acts of disobedience and ingratitude to them. 
Though he had been a most dutiful child, yet he was 
so overpowered at the view of the offences which his 
memoty recalled, that he fell down on his knees in the 
lane, and there cried aloud to God to have mercy upon 
him, and to pardon his trangressions. As soon as he 
arrived at his master's house, in Preston, he retired to 
his room, and rolled himself on the floor in an agony, 
like a person distracted. These troubles of mind con- 
tinued for some time, both night an^day, without 
intermission. He was deeply humbled at the sight of 
his conduct, and could not be satisfied till he took the 
earliest opportunity of returning to Elswick, to confess 
his offences in the presence of his father, and crave his 
forgiveness. His father, who considered him one of 
the most dutiful of sons, was surprised and astonished 
at the power of these convictions, which he could not 
comprehend. " Dear !" said he, " what hast thou done 
to lay these heavy charges against thyself? Thou hast 
not murdered any body." At the same time he told 
William that so far from being undutiful and ungrate- 
ful, he had done nothing which required a parent's for* 
giveness. With this consoling assurance he returned 
to Preston greatly relieved in spirit, and formed a strong 
resolution to change the course of his life. His repent- 
ance towards God continued deep and sincere : and he 
sought every occasion of manifesting it, by frequent 
acts of fasting, mortification, and prayer. He also 
attended the service of the parish church, with the 
most scrupulous regularity ; and showed his genuine 
zeal for the honour of God, and his hatred to sin, 
by reproving the latter at all seasons, and in every 
company. 

But while he was the subject of these divine opera- 
ions, he stood alone, and had no pious friend to whom 



MR. W. BRAxlIWELL. IT 

lie could disclose his feelings, or with whom he could 
take sweet counsel respecting his soul. Of all the pro- 
fessors of Christianity in the neighbourhood the Papists 
were the strictest; and, to a youthful mind, they ap- 
peared to evince some due regard to the external forms 
of religion. Though he had been sufficiently well 
instructed to dislike the principles and general prac- 
tices of that church, yet the austerities, penances, and 
privations, to which its members occasionally subjected 
themselves, to him seemed highly reasonable ; and at 
that period he had no doubt of such sacrifices being 
acceptable to God. Labouring under the greatest con- 
cern for the salvation of his soul, he adopted several 
modes of mortifying the flesh, of the most ascetic and 
severe descripion, different in some external respects 
from those of the Roman Catholics, but the same in 
principle. To remind him of his sins, (on account of 
which he thought he was not sufficiently humbled,) he 
frequently cut off the skin and flesh from the ends of 
his fingers, and would not for some time suffer the self- 
inflicted wounds to heal. About midnight he often 
arose and stole down into the kitchen, while the mem- 
bers of his master's family were asleep ; then sprink- 
ling a corner of the floor with some of the roughest 
sand he could find, and uncovering his knees, he knelt 
down, and in that painful posture spent many hours of 
the night in fervent supplications for the pardon of his 
sins. When the apprentices were allowed a day of 
relaxation, instead of employing it as they did, (in 
carnal pleasures and worldly amusements,) he retired 
to an obscure part of a wood near Preston, and, having 
climbed up a favourite tree, he usually remained there 
till evening, confessing his sins aloud in the presence 
of his heavenly Father, and earnestly imploring for- 
giveness. 

Whilst in this disconsolate state of mind, he some- 
times wandered from Preston, after the labours of the 
day ; and, walking as far as hie father's house in Els- 
wick, [a distance often miles,] he has slowly returned 
the same night, without partaking of the least refresh- 
2* 



IS MEMOIR OF 

ment, or informing any of his father's family that an 
individual so wretched as himself was near their abode 
After this solitary walk of twenty miles, he was ready 
to commence his labour, the next morning, with the 
earliest of his master's workmen. 

His constitution was naturally robust. But had his 
flesh been brass and his sinews iron, the austerities in 
which he voluntarily persisted for many months would 
have ruined his health. Strong as he was, he at last 
found his frame unequal to the inward conflict which 
was itself sufficiently severe without the infliction of 
penitential bodily torture. His friends perceived that 
his countenance became pale, and that his strength 
was quickly declining. Being concerned for his wel- 
fare, they applied for advice to two physicians, who, 
unable satisfactorily to account for the emaciated state 
of his body, called the undefined and hidden cause of 
his unhappiness "a nervous complaint." 

But God, who is rich in mercy, shortly afterwards 
effected for him a great deliverance. He had prepar- 
ed himself with much prayer and self examination 
for worthily partaking of the sacrament of the Lord's 
Supper, and while in the act of receiving the sacred 
elements from the hand of the Rev. Mr. Wilson, (a 
pious clergyman at Preston,) under whose ministry he 
had greatly profited, he obtained a clear sense of par- 
don. All his bodily ailments soon forsook him, and 
his " spirit rejoiced in God his Saviour." Darkness 
and gloom, guilt and condemnation, were at once 
removed in a manner incomprehensible to him, and 
utterly beyond all that he had ever been taught to expect 
or desire. The height of his joy was equalled only by 
the previous depth of his sorrow. He testified in every 
way his unfeigned gratitude to Him who had made him 
glad with the light of his countenance. Influenced by 
this principle, he tried even to purchase the obedience 
of others to the commands of his loving Saviour. To 
this purpose he applied, all the money allowed him by 
his parents. If any young people swore in his presence, 
>e affectionately reproved them, and, if they still per^ 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 19 

sisted, he endeavoured to buy them off from such pro- 
fane practices, by giving them a sum of money. By 
this method he induced many to promise that they 
would no longer be guilty of their customary language 
of oaths and imprecations. In the same spirit, he 
often followed depraved individuals into public houses, 
and dissuaded them from a continuance in their 
ungodly course of life. He suffered neither rich nor 
poor, young nor old, to escape reproof, when he per- 
ceived any thing in their spirit or conduct that was 
culpable. In behalf of his divine Master, who had 
mercifully "called him out of darkness into marvel- 
lous light," he had always a word in season. 

Yet at this critical period, his Christianity was of a 
solitary kind. He walked alone in the ways of God. 
None of his friends appeared to be in earnest for the 
same blessings as those which he enjoyed. To secure 
therefore his continuance in the paths of righteousness, 
and to strengthen his newly formed gracious habits 
and holy resolutions, he knew of no method equal to 
that of associating himself with the church singers. 
He thought that no body of men upon earth approached 
in their spirit and employment, so nearly to the occu- 
pation of "the spirits of just men made perfect," as 
these cheerful choristers. To join with them in cele- 
brating the high praises of God, appeared to him 
(artless as he then was,) an object fraught with good, 
and most gratifying to his pious feelings. He entered 
heartily into this plan, and was constant in his attend- 
ance in the singers' pew. But there were other places 
more frequented by these rustic musicians than the 
church. To perfect themselves in their various parts, 
they considered it needful for the whole fraternity 
regularly to assemble at a rendezvous ; and that most 
commonly was a large room in an alehouse. By 
gradually imbibing the spirit and habits of his new 
associates, Mr. Bramwell almost imperceptibly lost the 
comfort and happiness which he had so recently expe- 
rienced. These persons were unfit companions for 



20 MEMOIR OP 

one, like him, exercised unto godliness; levity and 
mirth being their particular delight when they were 
not immediately engaged in the service of the church. 
His religious feelings became dull and languid ; and in 
this uncomfortable frame of mind he passed nearly 
three months. 

About this period, one of his friends proposed to 
lend him the works of the Rev. John Wesley. He 
accepted the offer; but he soon afterwards returned 
them unread, — declaring that he durst on no account 
peruse them, as he was fearful of their corrupting 
effects, and of the tendency which they would have to 
destroy his religion. 

Mr. Roger Crane, who was then a member of the 
Methodist society in Preston, had heard that Mr. 
Bramwell was so much in earnest for the salvation of 
his soul as to be almost 4< beside himself." In conse- 
quence of this he took some pains to be introduced to 
him. He soon became acquainted with him, and 
gained his confidence ; and this, after an interchange 
of many visits, was ripened into a strong and mutual 
attachment. Such an intimacy was peculiarly pleasing 
to Mr. Bramwell, and he perfectly acquiesced in all the 
religious views and statements of his more experienced 
companion. Christian experience and religious enjoy- 
ment were not then novel subjects. He had felt them, 
and therefore knew their meaning and importance. 
At length Mr. Crane concluded, that it was his duty 
to invite his friend to hear a Methodist preacher, and 
assured him that he would find the truths which he 
loved, explained in a clearer and more scriptural man- 
ner, and with greater comfort to his own mind, than by 
his favourite clergyman. But though strongly and 
often solicited, he always declined the invitation ; and 
as a full explanation of his resolution and the motives 
which influenced him, he told Mr. C. that his father 
had exacted a promise from him, not to attend the 
preaching of the Methodists, and had warned all his 
family against any connexion with such a despicable 
community. He considered them an infatuated and 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 21 

deceiving body of people, like wolves in sheep's 
clothing. 

This continued refusal caused a great shyness be- 
tween the two young men. Their interviews became 
less frequent; friendship had no longer its former 
attraction, and in the end their intimacy entirely 
ceased. They kept apart from each other nearly six 
months, and, in the interim, Mr. B. became more lax 
in his principles, and less scrupulous in his conduct. 
The alluring habits and maxims of the world, which 
he had hitherto firmly and successfully resisted, seemed 
almost insensibly to steal upon him. He drooped in 
spirit, and lost all sensible comfort. He was in this 
unhappy frame when a conversation that took place 
between him and Robert Looker, one of his master's 
workmen, induced him to attend for the first time the 
preaching of the Methodists. Robert relates the cir- 
cumstance in the following simple manner : 

" I have now been forty years acquainted with Mr. 
Bramwell. He and I wrought together in the same 
shop nearly six years. I never knew his equal for 
strict morality. His parents were rigidly attached to 
the Established Church. When he received his first 
religious impressions, he became very zealous. I 
heard him reprove sin in all places, and the commis- 
sion of it vexed his righteous soul from day to day. At 
that time he had neither heard a Methodist preacher 
nor attended any of their meetings He was preju- 
diced against them, but yet not so much as his parents 
were. Their antipathy was deep and inveterate. 

" A very wicked old woman lived near my master's 
shop. She was a notorious swearer and blasphemer. 
Mr. Bramwell's principles would not allow her to utter 
oaths and curses in his hearing, without reproving her. 
One day when she had been exercising herself in her 
usual way, he wrote a note and sent it to her It con- 
tained some appropriate passages of Scripture, and in 
the conclusion it was intimated, that, as all profane 
persons had their portion in the everlasting fire of 
hell, she was evidently one of them, and must expeci 



22 MEMOIR OP 

the same dreadful doom unless she repented of her 
sins and abandoned her evil practices. The old 
woman knowing that Mr. Bramwell and I were inti- 
mate, came like a fury to our house, and with a dread- 
ful oath called Mr. B. (who was absent) a Methodist 
devil! My wife, who was then a strict Roman Catho- 
lic, # asked the reason of her warmth. She replied, 
* He has sent me a note, in which he says, that I am a 
wicked woman, and must burn in hell for ever.' More 
chagrined at hearing him stigmatized for being a 
Methodist, than if he had been censured for open 
impiety, my wife said, • Jane, you shall not call him a 
Methodist, for I am sure he is not one of that sort ! 
When Mr. Bramwell called at our house in the eve- 
ning, my wife began to relate the charge she had 
heard against him by saying, * William ! Jane M. has 
been cursing you and calling you a Methodist ; and I 
told her that no one should give you that scandalous 
name in my hearing ; for I hate it more than any 
other.' 

" On hearing this, Mr. Bramwell turned to me, and 
said with a smile, ' Robert, did you ever hear the peo- 
ple called Methodists V I told him I had heard them 
sometimes in the fields near London, but knew very 
little about them, as I liked the Church. He said, ' I 
understand they have begun to preach in Preston; will 
you go to hear them V I replied, f I am quite willing/ 
He then said, ' My Bible tells me, ts They that will live 
godly in Christ Jesus, must suffer persecution, " and 
these people are much vilified and persecuted.' He 
told me, he would make some inquiry about the time 
of preaching ; and on the appointed day we repaired 
together to the small house where these outcasts assem* 
bled. We found not more than a dozen persons pre- 
sent, and the sermon was on the subject of the bond 

* Mr. Bramwell was, some years afterwards, made an 

honoured instrument in the conversion of Mrs. Looker and 

her husband. Both of them have long enjoyed the pleasures of 

religion, and " their conversation has been as it becometh the; 

vspcl of Christ." 



3IR. W. BRAMWELL. 28 

woman and the free woman. I liked the drift of the 
discourse pretty well : yet at that time it did not take 
hold of my heart. But Mr. Bramwell was like Lydia 3 
whose heart the Lord had opened to receive the word 
When we went again we heard old Mr. Hopper, and 
having begun to meet in class, we were soon afterwards 
admitted into society. Mr. Longley gave us our first 
tickets." 

About this time, too, his real friend Mr. Crane was 
told by a person with whom he was intimate, that Mr, 
Bramwell was afraid he had offended Mr. C. by not 
going with him to hear the Methodists, although he 
had been repeatedly invited. He had told the same 
person, that if Mr. Crane again desired him he cer- 
tainly would not refuse. Mr. Crane therefore, once 
more, designedly met him, and commenced a re- 
newal of their former friendship, by requesting the 
pleasure of his company to hear a Methodist preacher. 
He cheerfully assented to the proposal of his friend, 
and in the evening they went and heard Mr. Andrew 
Inglis. On their return, Mr. Crane asked him how he 
liked the sermon. <f O!" said he, his eyes beaming 
with joy, " this is the kind of preaching which I have 
long wanted to hear. These are the people with whom 
I am resolved to live and die !" 



CHAPTER III. 

The grief of Mr. Bramwell's parents when they heard that he 
had become a Methodist — His interview with the Rev. John 
Wesley — Perplexity of mind respecting his call to the minis- 
try — He becomes the leader of a class and a local preacher- 
Fruits of his labours — Some account of the manner in which 
he received the blessing of sanctification — An extract on the 
same subject from the experience of the Rev. John Fletcher. 

After the expiration of Mr. Bramwell's apprentice- 
ship his parents removed from Elswick to Preston, for 
the sole purpose of enjoying without interruption the 
society and converse of their son, for whose religious 
character they entertained the highest esteem. But 



24 MEMOIR OP 

how greatly were they mortified when they understood 
that he had begun to associate with the Methodists ! 
They were so much exasperated, that they threatened 
to render him no pecuniary assistance towards enabling 
him to commence business. This, however, had no 
effect upon him ; for he had been taught, that in order 
to be an approved disciple of Christ, it might in some 
cases be absolutely necessary to " forsake both father 
and mother." Yet being very solicitous to promote 
their spiritual welfare, he continually urged on them 
the necessity of a change of heart, and had strong and 
rational ground to hope towards the close of their lives 
that his labour had not been in vain. 

About this time Mr. Wesley visited Preston ; and 
some of Mr. BramwelPs Christian friends took an op- 
portunity of introducing him into the company of that 
great man. Mr. Wesley looked attentively at him and 
said, " Well, Brother ! can you praise God V f Mr. Bram- 
well replied, " No, sir !" Mr. Wesley lifted up his hands, 
and smiling, said, " Well ! but perhaps you will to- 
night." And indeed so it came to pass; for that very 
night he found the comfort he had lost, and his soul 
was again enabled to rejoice in the glorious liberty of 
the sons of God. 

This interview was rendered peculiarly beneficial to 
Mr. Bramwell. He soon received a clearer manifesta- 
tion of the love of God, and was more fully established 
in the way of the Lord. His desire for the salvation 
of sinners was intense ; and this impelled him to labour 
in season and out of season. By his instrumentality 
prayer meetings at five o'clock in the morning were 
established. He became the leader of a class ; and so 
zealous was he to promote the best interests of his fel- 
low creatures, that he began to exhort them to flee from 
the wrath to come. 

Very soon after Mr. Wesley's visit, Mr. Bramwell 
was appointed a local preacher. Not satisfied however 
with labouring to save souls at Preston, he preached 
throughout its neighbourhood, and that part of Lanca- 
shire, comprising a considerable tract of country, called 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 25 

the Fylde. It is said that his first text was, ' Prepare 
to meet thy God !' In visiting most of the villages in 
the neighbourhood, he met with violent opposition and 
persecution, so that he might be truly said to have gone 
with his life in his hand. 

He had frequent struggles concerning his call to the 
ministry, and the subject lay with such weight upon his 
mind, that he has been known to spend a considerable 
portion of the night in wrestling with God for divine 
direction in this important matter. His agony in pray- 
er on these occasions was great ; the sweat frequently 
poured down his face. And in allusion to this subject 
and the exquisite perplexity of mind in which he was 
plunged, he often exclaimed to an intimate friend, 
" Robert ! Robert ! what shall I do ?" 

His feelings may, in some measure, be conceived, 
from the following circumstance related by himself: 
He was walking one day, with some friends, over Pres- 
ton-Moor, (about a mile and a half from the town,) 
when one of them asked him if he knew the place 
where the Rev. Isaac Ambrose* was accustomed to 
spend a month in retirement every year, and employ 
himself day and night in importunate prayer before 
God for the prosperity of his work. Mr. Bramwell re- 
plied, " No ! but under a certain hill near this place," 
(where there was a large sand hole,) " I once spent 
thirty-six hours together in prayer to the Lord, that I 
might know his will concerning me." 

Although he was thus the subject of much anxiety 
and temptation, yet he was often encouraged by seeing 
the pleasure of the Lord prosper in his hand. Under 

* It is related by the biographer of this heavenly-minded man, 
that he spent the last years of his life in Preston ; and that it 
was his custom annually to retire into a wood near the moor, 
and there to secrete himself for an entire month in a small hut, 
avoiding all human society and converse, and devoting his 
whole attention to divine contemplation and fervent prayer. 
By this method he was better fitted, during the remainder of 
each year, for the services of his sacred calling ; and it was 
generally observed concerning him, that a peculiar unction ac- 
companied his ministrations. 

3 



26 MEMOIR OP 

his sermons multitudes were convinced of sin, and 
many received a knowledge of their acceptance with 
God. Ann Cutler, or, as she was more familiarly call» 
ed, "Praying Nanny," a woman remarkable for holi- 
ness, was one of the earliest fruits of his labours. She 
resided at a village near Preston, in which Mr. Bram- 
well frequently preached. 

In the work of the ministry, he spared neither exer- 
tion nor expense. He sometimes paid five shillings 
for the hire of a horse, on the sabbath ; and rode forty 
or fifty miles, preaching three or four times, and that 
very often in the open air. But it was his usual prac- 
tice to walk on these occasions. 

Striking interpositions of providence were extended 
to him on many emergencies : — Once as he was return- 
ing from preaching, his horse fell and threw him over 
its head with great violence to a considerable distance* 
For a long time he lay senseless; but on recovering 
from the shock he rode forward to Preston, and preach- 
ed the same evening without any medical assistance. 
But the consequences of this fall had nearly proved fatal, 
for he became extremely ill, and his health was with 
difficulty restored. 

Having experienced the pardoning mercy of God, he 
walked in the fear of the Lord, and enjoyed the com- 
fort of the Holy Ghost. That he might more clearly 
perceive what was his Christian calling, and enjoy all 
the salvation purchased by the blood of Christ, he re- 
gularly perused the sacred volume and implored Divine 
direction. Being obedient to the teachings of the Spi- 
rit, it was not long before he was convinced of the ne- 
cessity of a farther work of grace upon his heart. He 
now saw that it was his privilege to be cleansed from 
all sin. Miss Brew, now Mrs. George Barker, heard 
him relate the manner in which he received this great 
blessing of entire sanctification, nearly in the following 
words : — " I was for some time deeply convinced of my 
need of purity, and sought it carefully with tears and 
entreaties, and sacrifice ; thinking nothing too much 
to give up, nothing too much to do or suffer, — if I might 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 27 

but attain this pearl of great price. Yet I found it not ; 
nor knew the reason why, till the Lord showed me 1 
had erred in the way of seeking it. I did not seek it 
hy faith alone, but, as it were, by the works of the law. 
Being now convinced of my error, I sought the bless- 
ing by faith only. Still it tarried a little, but I waited 
for it in the way of faith. When in the house of a 
friend at Liverpool, whither I had gone to settle some 
temporal affairs previously to my going out to travel, I 
was sitting," said he, " as it might be on this chair," 
(pointing to the chair on which he sat,) " with my mind 
engaged in various meditations concerning my affairs 
and future prospects, my heart now and then lifted up 
to God, but not particularly about this blessing, — hea- 
ven came down to earth ; it came to my soul. The 
Lord, for whom I had waited, came suddenly to the 
temple of my heart; and I had an immediate evidence 
that this was the blessing I had for some time been 
seeking. My soul was then all wonder, love, and 
praise. It is now about twenty-six years ago ; I have 
walked in this liberty ever since. Glory be to God ! 
I have been kept by his power. By faith I stand. In 
this as in all other instances, I have proved the devil 
to be a liar : — he suggested to me a few minutes after 
I received the blessing, that I should not hold it long, 
— it was too great to be retained, — and that I had bet- 
ter not profess it." 

Proceeding, he said, ft I walked fifteen miles that 
night to a place where I had an appointment to preach ; 
and, at every step I trod, the temptation was repeated, 
4 Do not profess sanctification, for thou wilt lose it.' 
But in preaching that night, the temptation was remo- 
ved, and my soul was again filled with glory and with 
God. I then declared to the people what God had 
done for my soul ; and I have done so on every proper 
occasion since that time, believing it to be a duty in- 
cumbent upon me. For God does not impart blessings 
to his children to be concealed in their own bosoms, 
but to be made known to all who fear him and desire 
the enjoyment of the same privileges. I think such a 



2S MEMOIR OF 

blessing cannot be retained, without professing it at 
every lit opportunity; for thus we glorify God, and 
■ with the mouth make confession unto salvation.' " 

This account is much in unison with the following 
declarations on the same subject by the Rev. John 
Fletcher of Madeley. They are extracted from the 
diary of that excellent woman, the late Mrs. Hester 
Ann Rogers ; and are here inserted that " in the mouth 
of two or three witnesses every word of this glorious 
doctrine may be established" 

" Leeds, Aug. 24, 1781.— That dear man of God, 
Mr. Fletcher, came with Miss Bosanquet, (now Mrs. 
Fletcher,) to dine at Mr. Smith's in Park-Row ; and 
also to meet the select society. After dinner, I took 
an opportunity to beg he would explain an expression 
he once used to Miss Loxdale in a letter, viz. ' That on 
all who are renewed in love, God bestows the gift of 
prophecy.' He called for the Bible, — then read and 
sweetly explained the second chapter of the Acts : ob- 
serving, ' to prophesy,' in the sense he meant, was to 
magnify God with the new heart of love, and the new 
tongue of praise, as they did who on the day of pente- 
cost were filled with the Holy Ghost ! — and he insisted 
that believers are now called to make the same con- 
fession, seeing we may all prove the same baptismal 
fire. He showed that the day of pentecost was only 
the opening of the dipensation of the Holy Ghost, — the 
great promise of the Father ! And that ' the latter day 
glory/ which he believed was near at hand, should far 
exceed the first effusion of the Spirit. Therefore see- 
ing they then bore witness to the grace of our Lord, so 
should we ; and like them, spread the flame of love ! 
Then after singing a hymn, he cried, — * O to be filled 
with the Holy Ghost ! I want to be filled ! O my friends, 
let us wrestle for a more abundant outpouring of the 
Spirit !' — To me he said, ' Come, my sister, will yon 
covenant with me this day, to pray for the fuln ess of 
the Spirit ? Will yon be a witness for Jesus V — I an- 
swered with flowing tears, — ' In the strength of Jesus 
) will.' He cried, ' Glory, glory, glory be to God I 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 29 

Lord, strengthen thy handmaid to keep this covenant 
even unto death.' He then said,—' My dear brethren 
and sisters, God is here ! I feel him in this place ! 
But I would hide my face in the dust, because I have 
been ashamed to declare what he hath done for me ! 
For many years I have grieved his Spirit, — but I am 
deeply humbled : and he has again restored my soul ! 
Last Wednesday evening he spoke to me by these 
words, " Reckon yourselves therefore to be dead indeed 
unto sin ; but alive unto God, through Jesus Christ 
our Lord." I obeyed the voice of God : I now obey it, 
and tell you all, to the praise of his love, J am freed 
from sin! — Yes, I rejoice to declare it, and to bear 
witness to the glory of his grace, that " I am dead unto 
sin, and alive unto God, through Jesus Christ," who is 
my Lord and King ! I received this blessing four or 
live times before ; but I lost it by not observing the 
order of God, who hath told us, " With the heart, man 
believeth unto righteousness ; and with the mouth, con- 
fession is made unto salvation." But the enemy offered 
his bait under various colours, to keep me from a pub- 
lic declaration of what my Lord had wrought. 

" i When I first received this grace, Satan bid me 
wait awhile, till I saw more of the fruits ; I resolved 
to do so, but I soon began to doubt of the witness, which 
before I had felt in my heart ; and was in a little time 
sensible I had lost both. A second time, after receiv- 
ing this salvation, (with shame I confess it,) I was kept 
from being a witness for my Lord, by the suggestion, 
" Thou art a public character ; the eyes of all are upon 
thee; and if, as before, by any means thou lose the 
blessing, it will be a dishonour to the doctrine of heart 
holiness, &c." I held my peace and again forfeited the 
gift of God ! At another time, I was prevailed upon to 
hide it by reasoning, — " How few, even of the children 
of God, will receive this testimony ! many of them sup- 
posing every transgression of the Adamic law is sin : 
and therefore if I profess myself to be free from sin, all 
these will give my profession the lie, because I am not 
free in their sense : — I am not free from ignorance, mis- 
3* 



80 MEMOIR OF 

takes, and various infirmities. I will therefore enjoy 
what God has wrought in me, but I will not say I am 
perfect in love." — Alas ! I soon found again, — " He 
that hideth his Lord's talent and improveth it not, from 
that unprofitable servant shall be taken away even that 
he hath." 

" ' Now, my brethren, you see my folly ! I have con- 
fessed it in your presence, and now I resolve, before 
you all, to confess my Master ! I will confess him to 
all the world ! And I declare unto you, in the presence 
of God, the Holy Trinity, I am now " dead indeed 
unto sin." I do not say, " I am crucified with Christ ;" 
because, some of our well-meaning brethren say, '* by 
this can only be meant a gradual dying " — but I pro- 
fess unto you, " I am dead unto sin, and alive unto 
God." And remember, — all this is " through Jesus 
Christ our Lord!" He is my Prophet, Priest, and 
King ! My indwelling holiness ! My all in all ! — I 
wait for the fulfilment of that prayer, — " That they all 
may be one ; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, 
that they also may be one in us ; — And that they may 
be one, even as we are one." — O for that pure baptis- 
mal flame ! — O for the fulness of the dispensation of the 
Holy Ghost! Pray, pray, pray, for this! This shall 
make us all of one heart and of one soul ! — Pray for 
gifts — for the gift of utterance : and confess your royal 
Master ! A man without gifts, is like the king in dis- 
guise : He appears as a subject only ! You are kings 
and priests unto God; Put on, therefore, your robes, 
and wear, on your garter, Holiness to the Lord.' 

" A few days after this, I heard Mr. Fletcher preach 
from the same subject; which greatly encouraged and 
strengthened me. He invited all who felt the need of 
full redemption, to believe now for this great salvation. 
He observed, — * As when you reckon with your credi- 
tor, or with your host ; and as, when you have paid all, 
you reckon yourselves free ; so, now reckon with God, 
— Jesus hath paid all : and he hath paid for thee ! hath 
purchased thy pardon and holiness. Therefore it is 
now God's command, — " Reckon thyself dead indeed 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 31 

unto sin ;" and thou art alive unto God from this hour! 

begin, begin to reckon now ! Fear not, — believe, 
believe, believe ! And continue to believe every mo- 
ment ; so shalt thou continue free. For it is retained. 
as it is received, by faith alone. And whosoever thou 
art that perseveringly believest, it will be as a fire in 
thy bosom, and constrain thee to confess with thy 
mouth, thy Lord and King Jesus ! And, in spreading 
the sacred flame of love, thou shalt still be saved to the 
uttermost.' 

" He also dwelt largely on those words, f where sin 
abounded, grace did much more abound.' He asked 

1 How did sin abound I Has it not overspread your 
whole soul ? Were not all your passions, tempers, pro- 
pensities, and affections, inordinate and evil ? Did 
not pride, anger, self will, and unbelief, all reign in 
you ? And when the Spirit of God strove with you, 
did you not repel all his convictions, and put him far 
from you? Well, my brethren, " Ye were then the 
servants of sin, and were free from righteousness : but 
now, being free from sin, ye become servants to God ;" 
and holiness shall overspread your whole soul ; so that 
all your tempers and passions shall be henceforth regu- 
lated and governed by Him who now sitteth upon the 
throne of your heart, making all things new ! They 
shall therefore be all holy. And as you once resisted 
the Holy Spirit, so now you shall have power as easily 
to resist all the subtle frauds or fierce attacks of Satan. 
Yea, his suggestions to evil shall be like a ball thrown 
against a wall of brass ! It shall rebound back again ; 
and you shall know what that meaneth — " The Prince 
of this world cometh and hath nothing in me." ' 

" He then, with lifted hands, cried, c Who will thus 
be saved? Who will believe the report? You are 
only in an improper sense called believers who reject 
this. Who is a believer? One that believes a few 
things which his God hath spoken ? Nay, but one who 
believes all that ever proceeded out of his mouth ! — 
Here then is the word of the Lord, " As sin abounded, 
grace shall much more abound!" As no good thing 



32 MEMOIR OF 

was in you by nature, so now no evil thing shall 
remain ! Do you believe this 1 Or, are you a half 
believer, only 1 — Come, Jesus is offered to thee as a 
perfect Saviour ; take him and he will make thee a 
perfect saint ! O ye half believers, will you still plead 
for the murderers of your Lord ? Which of these will 
you hide as a serpent in your bosom ? Shall it be 
anger, pride, self will, or accursed unbelief? O be no 
longer befooled ! " bring these enemies to thy Lord, 
and let him slay them." ' 

"Some days after this, being in Mr. Fletcher's 
company, he took me by the hand, and said, — ' Glory 
be to God for you, my sister ! — still bear a noble testi- 
mony for your Lord. Do yo repent your confession 
of his salvation V I answered, Blessed be God I do 
not. — At going away, he again took me by my hand, 
saying, with eyes and heart lifted up, — ' Bless her, 
heavenly Power !' It seemed as if an instant answer 
was given, and a beam of glory let down ! — I was 
filled with deep humility and love. Yea my whole 
soul overflowed with unutterable sweetness." 



CHAPTER IV. 

Mr. Bramwell is called to supply the place of an itinerant 
preacher in Liverpool — He is recalled at the earnest request 
of his Preston friends — He commences business on his own 
account — Is again solicited by Dr. Coke to become an itine- 
rant preacher — After some consideration, he embraces the 
offer, and begins to travel in the Kent circuit — His manner 
of life, and ardent desire for the conversion of sinners — He is 
again brought into doubt respecting his call to the ministry 
— Preaches at the place where seven men were executed — 
A remarkable dream. 

Mr. Bramwell was much blessed in his labours as 
a local preacher ; and it was soon the unanimous sen- 
timent of the church, that he was calculated for a 
much more extended sphere of usefulness. Indeed, 
for four years after he was free from his apprenticeship, 
he had himself felt a powerful persuasion that he was 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 33 

called by the great Head of the church to the exer- 
cise of the ministry. On this account he had pur- 
posely abstained from engaging in any secular employ- 
ment for his own benefit, although he had an oppor- 
tunity of doing it to great advantage. During the 
whole of this period he had been occupied in intro- 
ducing the doctrines and the discipline of the Method- 
ists into many of the uncivilized districts around 
Preston, in a manner the most zealous and disinte- 
rested, — his exertions being made entirely at his own 
charge. Such was the general impression which he 
had of his designation to serve God in the gospel of his 
Son. But with him, (as with many other eminent he- 
ralds of Christ,) this impression was subject to some 
fluctuating doubts; and it occasionally became the 
grosnd work of Satan's buffeting and temptation. Yet 
it still retained its firm hold on his mind, and impelled 
him to continue his services in that best of causes, to 
which he considered himself devoted. 

About that time some new places had been added 
to the Liverpool circuit. It therefore became requisite 
to have an additional preacher. Mr. Bramwell, having 
been recommended by the superintendent, was ap- 
pointed by Mr. Wesley to go there and officiate as an 
itinerant preacher till the following conference. He 
immediately complied ; but he had not been long em- 
ployed in this capacity before a strong representation 
was made by his friends at Preston, to induce Mr. 
Wesley to recall him, as the work of God in that town 
was then increasing, and Mr. Bramwell's labours were 
particularly required for its furtherance. To this 
request Mr.Wesley acceded, and Mr. Bramwell accord* 
ingly returned to Preston, to the great joy of those who 
had known him and felt the power of his preaching. 
By this arrangement, his parents, who had almost given 
him up as a desperate seceder from their principles, 
were exceedingly gratified, and fondly hoped to regain 
their former influence over him. 

He now thought his lot determined, and himself 
providentially settled for life in Preston. He therefore 



34 MEMOIR OF 

commenced the business to which he had served an 
apprenticeship. But the Lord had prepared for him a 
far more important station, in which he had designed 
him to act a most conspicuous part. Not many months 
after he had taken a shop and house, Dr. Coke wrote 
to him several times, and earnestly requested him to 
give up his business, become an itinerant preacher, and 
travel in the Kent circuit. Against the Doctor's argu- 
ments very powerful obstacles presented themselves : 
Mr. Bramwell was comfortably settled in business; 
his worldly prospects were peculiarly inviting, and hp 
had formed an honourable and intimate connexion witftt 
a pious young lady, a native of Preston, who had bee«+ 
converted under his preaching at an early period of his 
ministrations. He was surrounded by his family con-/ 
nexions. His father and mother had shown themselves 
less bigoted in religious matters, and had evinced some- 
thing resembling an esteem for Methodism. In fine, 
every thing concurred to invite him to sit down, acquit 
a fortune, and enjoy himself among his friends. 

This was a most important crisis in his life ; and his 
feelings on the occasion may be more easily conceived 
than expressed. He earnestly sought direction from 
Heaven, and consulted his Christian friends. At lengths- 
believing that he was called of God to devote himself 
entirely to the work of the ministry, he no longer con- 
ferred with flesh and blood, but immediately settled his 
temporal affairs, purchased a horse and a pair of saddle 
bags, and rode to the Kent circuit, in the winter of 
1785, — a distance of about three hundred miles. 

When Mr. Bramwell reached Canterbury, he found 
the society in a very languid state, a division having 
taken place some time previous to his arrival. But his 
entrance into the circuit, with that man of God, Mr. 
Shadford, was the means of such a revival as had not 
been witnessed for many years. Mr. Bramwell adopted, 
from Mr. Shadford, a plan of more extensive useful* 
ness and devotedness to God ; and though he afterwards 
studied the lives of eminent ministers, (and particularly 
that of Mr. T\ Walsh,) yet he never ceased to remem- 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 35 

ber and imitate his venerable colleague. The people 
regarded Mr. Bramwell as a messenger of God, and 
expressed an earnest wish, that those preachers who 
should afterwards labour among them, might always 
manifest the same zeal, love, and disinterestedness in , 
the sacred cause. 

His genuine piety and affectionate concern for the 
welfare of souls, and for the prosperity of the work of 
God, were evinced in the whole of his deportment among 
the people, and he was so truly consistent, that he never 

opeared to lose sight of his character as a Christian 

inister. Into whatever company he went, he seemed 
c carry with him a consciousness of the Divine pre- 
sence, which influenced the whole of his conduct. His 

isits were generally short, and he had such a happy 

ethod of improving the present moment, that levity 
and trifling could never appear in his presence. Fre- 
quently when at prayer, so powerfully did he wrestle 

th God that the room seemed filled with the Divine 
glory, in a manner the most extraordinary ; which made 
some persons ready to imagine, that the very boards 
shook under them. 

As there were many young persons added to the 

)ciety in that circuit, he saw it necessary to guard 
them against the temptations to which young people are 
exposed ^ and to give greater effect to his exhortations, 
he addressed the different sexes separately. One Sun- 
day evening he would request the women in the society 
to stop, and not one of the other sex to be present, 
The following sabbath he would meet all the men, and 
them only. This method had a good effect : it pre- 
vented the appearance of partiality, and gave him an 
opportunity of using much plainness of speech, and a 
greater degree of faithfulness. His instructions could 
not fail to be well received, because they were given 
with affection ; while the correctness of his own deport- 
ment rendered him unimpeachable. 

The prayer meetings were generally held in private 
houses ; and as he knew the spiritual condition of cer- 
tain persons present, when the meetings were over, he 



36 MEMOIR OP 

sometimes detained the people, saying, ** Stop, friends! 
let us spend a few moments more for such and such a 
person. Probably such a one may be present and yet 
unblessed." At a meeting of this kind, while Mr. 
Bramwell was agonizing in prayer, a powerful effusion 
of the Spirit descended upon the people, as though a 
flash of lightning had darted into the room. All pre- 
sent were deeply affected : and at that moment Mrs. 
Parnell, who was in great distress, received a clear 
manifestation of the pardoning love of God. 

Though his labours were crowned with signal suc- 
cess, yet he was often greatly depressed in spirit, and 
tempted to leave the work in which he was engaged. 
On one of these occasions, he went to unbosom his 
mind to an old friend, in whose opinion he placed the 
greatest confidence. " Billy," said the old man, iC I 
will tell thee what thou must do ; thou must go into 
thy closet, lock thyself up, and there take a review of 
thy life. If thou canst find that God has blessed thee 
with a single mercy, praise him for it." Mr. Bramwell 
went and practised the advice which the old man had 
recommended ; and immediately the remembrance of 
one mercy after another entered his mind. He saw 
that his whole life was marked with mercy. Gratitude 
sprung up in his heart. He broke forth in praises to 
God, took encouragement, and went forward in the 
name of the Lord. He often remarked that, in such 
cases, it is a great blessing to have a judicious friend 
at hand. 

Like a faithful servant, he lost no opportunity of 
doing good whenever an occasion presented itself, 
although numerous dangers and difficulties might sur- 
round him in the attempt. Thus when seven young 
men were condemned to be hanged at Maidstone, an- 
other young preacher and he, on hearing of the intend- 
ed execution, were much affected, and thought that 
one of them ought to preach on the occasion. After 
mature reflection, it was determined that Mr. Bram- 
well should address the assembled multitude. A large 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 37 

blockstone became his pulpit. When he began to 
speak to the immense concourse of people, the general 
cry was, "Knock the fellow down! Kill him!" At 
this moment, a gentleman on horseback rode among 
the crowd, and cried, " He is a good man ! Jet him 
alone ! hear him !" Through this stranger's manly inter- 
ference, he was permitted to proceed and to finish his 
discourse. But he never knew the person to whom he 
was then indebted for a peaceful congregation. 

In the same circuit he was forewarned, in a dream, 
of approaching danger. He dreamed that he was way- 
laid in a certain road by some men, who wished to kill 
him. Having to go that way some time afterwards, 
his dream occurred to him ; he thought that there might 
be something intended by it ; he therefore determined 
to turn aside, and went another way. By adopting 
this resolution, he providentially escaped ; for, as he 
afterwards found, certain men of bad character had 
been waiting for him at that very time with a fixed 
resolution to murder him, if he had passed along the 
road by which he usually went. 

He was once desired to pray with an unhappy female 
who was very ill, and who had been much addicted to 
drunkenness. Some time before, her husband had be- 
come pious, and had often invited Mr. Bramwell to his 
'house. This woman had been raised several times in 
answer to his prayers. He was sent for once more in 
haste from his circuit, to pray for her. When he ar- 
rived, he and her husband knelt down ; and after being 
silent a few minutes he exclaimed, u I can pray no 
more ! The Lord will not answer ! She will now die !" 
and, in the course of a few hours, the unhappy woman 
died. 

This was the first year of his itinerant ministry, du- 
ring which he did not spare himself, but was " in la- 
bours more abundant." By the Spirit of God he was 
instructed in many things that concerned the great 
work in which he was engaged. He delighted in his 
sacred calling ; and, from the success which attended 

4 



38 MEMOIR OP 

his preaching, he was encouraged with increased ear- 
nestness to <c do the work of an evangelist, and make 
full proof of his ministry.'' 



CHAPTER V. 

Mr. Bramwell's marriage — Some misunderstanding with Mr 
Wesley — By an extraordinary chain of circumstances, he is 
directed to labour in the Blackburn circuit — His continued 
diligence — The mode of educating his children — His appoint- 
ment to the Colne circuit. 

It appears that Mr. Bramwell was to have been mar- 
ried on his return from Liverpool ; but as Dr. Coke 
had repeatedly solicited him to go to Kent, he had the 
firmness to bid adieu to the object of his affections, and 
did not see her again until a year and a half had elaps- 
ed. Previous, however, to his acquiescence with Di% 
Coke's request, he informed him that he could only go 
on condition that he might be married as soon as he 
returned. What the Doctor said to him is not now 
known ; but Mr. Bramwell always understood that he had 
obtained his promise and consent. He regularly corres- 
ponded with the young lady, Miss E. Byrom, who was 
of a very respectable family ; and on his return to Pres* 
ton, they were married accordingly, in July, 1787. 
At the conference for the same year, he was appointed 
by Mr. Wesley to labour in the Lynn circuit, but, as 
Mrs. Bramwell could not leave Preston on account of 
the arrangement of some family concerns, he thought 
it was not his duty to go to Lynn, and wrote to Mr. 
Wesley to that effect. Mr. W. did not think proper to 
appoint him to any other circuit, although he was earn- 
estly requested to do so by Mr. Shadford, and some 
other aged preachers, who regarded Mr. Bramwell as 
an eminently useful and holy young man. His name 
therefore remained on the stations for Lynn, but he 
continued in Preston. 

To a man more inflated with an idea of his own con- 
sequence than Mr. Bramwell was, or less fervent and 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 39 

sincere in his wishes for the salvation of sinners, this 
second deferring of his hopes would have been most 
grievous and distressing. But though he was natu- 
rally of a sanguine disposition, the grace of God had 
humbled his views and made him willing to behold the 
glorious remedy of saving truth administered by any 
other hands than his own. He did not rate his minis- 
terial talents so highly as to imagine, with some weak- 
lingo, that when he was quiescent, the wheels of Christ's 
church would not move at all, or would only have a 
tardy motion. He very properly considered it a high 
honour to have " a dispensation of the gospel commit- 
ted to him" by Christ Jesus, and to bear some humble, 
yet active part in the grand operations of human re- 
demption. In the bare anticipation of this he had 
rejoiced, when he was first called to Liverpool. And 
when he was so honourably remanded to Preston, to 
move in an humbler sphere, and preach the glad tidings 
of peace among his friends and relatives, he had felt the 
summons to be no small trial. Yet to that which he 
deemed a providential call, he had yielded a cheerful 
obedience. He had now again dedicated himself 
wholly to the work of the ministry, and by an unexpect- 
ed occurrence* was compelled to desist from his labours 

* When, in compliance with Dr. Coke's entreaties, he con* 
seated to give up his business and take a circuit, it was a stipu- 
lation between the Doctor and him, that Mr. B. should not be 
required to wait the usual period of probation before his mar- 
riage. Dr. Coke also promised him the benefit of his good of- 
fices with Mr. Wesley, for his appointment to the Blackburn 
circuit. The Doctor had either been unsuccessful in his appli 
cation to Mr. W. or had omitted the mention of all the particu- 
lars ; for Mr. B. was nominated for the Lynn circuit. He 
accounted this a breach of engagement; and in his subsequent 
eorrespondence with Mr. W., it is probable that he mentioned 
without hesitation his recent marriage with Miss Byrom, a cir- 
cumstance which Mr. W. had not before known, and which for 
the moment might give him some umbrage. 

The key to the whole of this proceeding is, that, in the latter 
part of Mr. Wesley's life, the care of many of the societies de- 
volved on Dr. Coke j and Mr. Bramwell had stipulated with 
tfee proxy instead of the principal. Yet there was not even the 



40 



MEMOIR OF 



as an itinerant preacher. This was a season in which 
Satan assailed him with heavy temptations. But hav- 
ing committed nothing worthy of reproach, he main- 
tained his wonted firmness of spirit. He did not, like 
many, sullenly refuse to lend his hearty co-operation 
to the cause of God ; but with pleasure embraced every 
opportunity of declaring the glad tidings of salvation. 

It is not here meant to be insinuated, that Mr. Bram- 
well showed throughout this affair any dispositio-i of 
mind allied to stoical apathy. On the contrary, this 
proved to him a period of considerable anxiety. It 
called for the exercise of all the faith and patience of 
which he was possessed. Not knowing how to act, he 
sometimes thought, that after all, the Lord might still 
intend him to be a man of business. But he recollect- 
ed the word of the Lord, " In all thy ways acknowledge 
him, and he will direct thy path." He gave himself to 
prayer, asked counsel of God, and was always ready 
to say, " Speak, Lord ! thy servant heareth." His Way 
was soon made plain, and that in a manner which he 
could never have anticipated. 

In order more clearly to elucidate this circumstance, 
it may be necessary to produce the following account,, 
related by Mr. James Gray, and inserted in the Method- 
ist Magazine for March, 1818. 

" The Bristol conference for 1786 appointed Messrs, 
Joshua Keighly and Edward Burbeck to labour in the 
Inverness circuit. They met at Aberdeen, and set oft* 
for that circuit together; when approaching within 
two miles of Keith, on the high hill which overlooks it. 
in the dusk of the evening about sunset, they beheld 
about twenty yards from them, a dark shade like a 
screen drawn right across the road. They took cour* 
age and rode up to it, which divided and opened like a 



shadow of bad faith on the part of Dr. C. Ho did not think it 
necessary on every occasion of this kind, to burden Mr. W.'g, 
mind with matters of minor importance ; and he rejoiced great- 
!y, when Mr. W., a few weeks afterwards, so promptly appoint* 
ed Mr. B. to the circuit of his choice. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 41 

two-leaf gate; and as they passed through it, an audi- 
ble voice said, * You may pass on to your circuit, but 
shall never return to England.' 

11 This prediction was actually accomplished, in the 
death of these two holy men of God in the course of the 
year. They slept at Keith that night, and next noon 
arrived at Elgin, where I then lived : I called at their 
lodgings, and found Mr. Keighly reading, and Mr. Bur- 
beck had gone to bed, having rested none the preced- 
ing night, owing to the thoughts of the vision and the 
voice. Mr. Keighly then told me solemnly and seri- 
ously what I have related above. 

" They continued to fulfil the duties of their minis- 
try until the end of July, about the time of the sitting 
of conference ; when Mr. Keighly was seized with a 
brain fever, and died on the eighth day. (See my let- 
ter to Mr. Wesley, with a short account of his death, 
published in July 1788.)* 

" Mr. Burbeck came four days after from Inverness, 

* As some additional particulars occur in the account of Mr, 
Joshua Keighly, to which Mr. Gray here refers, they are sub- 
joined for the information of the pious reader : 

" He never expected his illness to be unto death, till about 
three days before he died : when he said, i You shall have a two- 
fold preacher here before Sunday.' 

" As there was no preacher on the spot, I took charge of his 
remains ; wrapt them in fine linen, (like his Lord and Master ;) 
gave letters of invitation to ministers and magistrates ; and a 

fentleman gave me the use of his tomb to bury him in, which 
gladly accepted. 

"The people of Elgin lament the death of this pious young 
man, whose preaching and holy conversation were made so great 
a blessing to many. And had it not been for the violence of his 
disorder, I doubt not but he would have borne as good a testi- 
mony for God in his last moments, as he had done before for 
many years. 

" When he was at Inverness last spring, he dreamed that he 
was condemned to die on the morrow. However, he obtained 
leave of the judge to go and acquaint his father with his fate, 
and to prepare him for the shock : which as soon as he had done, 
the judge appeared to him again, and said, ' I have got you a 
short respite ; but depend upon it, you shall die in Scotland.' 

" How unaccountable is this on the Infidel and Sadduceai? 
supposition ? But how plain on that of a Christian, !" 

4* 



42 MEMOIR OF 

and lodged with me, until he received hi3 appointment 
from conference, which was for the Blackburn circuit. 
He seemed anxious to get out of ou? circuit, that he 
might defeat the prediction. In pursuing his journey 
to Keith, he was taken ill, four miles before he reached 
that village, and was carried thither sick of a fever, and 
died on the ninth day. 

" Mr. Keighly was possessed of powerful natural 
talents, piety, and zeal for the salvation of the souls of 
men. Mr. Burbeck's constitution was nervous ; but 
with a more pious, -sincere, and upright minister, the 
church of Christ is seldom blessed. " 

Br. Burbeck's box arrived at Blackburn, and the 
society were in daily expectation of seeing him. But 
they were afflicted with the intelligence, that he had 
died in Scotland on his way to the circuit. This pro- 
vidence was truly mysterious, and especially when the 
circumstances that preceded it are considered. The 
society at Blackburn wrote to Mr. Wesley concerning 
it, informing him that they were without a preacher, 
and, it is probable, some mention was made of Mr. 
Bramwell in the same letter. Mr. Wesley immediately 
replied, by requesting Mr. Bramwell to take the Black- 
burn circuit, and labour in Mr. Burbeck's place. 

To him and his friends this event appeared almost 
miraculous, and no room was left for the reasonings of 
unbelief. He was now fully persuaded that he was 
called of God, and instantly prepared for his new sta- 
tion. Had he wished to fix upon a circuit that would 
have been the most convenient for himself and his wife, 
it would have been Blackburn, which then included the 
town of Preston, where it was necessary that Mrs. B. 
should remain until her temporal and domestic affairs 
were regulated and finally settled. In the whole of 
this transaction it is easy to trace the footsteps of the 
Almighty, who is never at a loss to accomplish his 
own infinitely wise and gracious purposes by a thousand 
wondrous " ways to foolish man unknown." 

The society at Blackburn received Mr. Bramwell as 
an angel of the Lord. He left Mrs. B. at Preston. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 43 

while he laboured in the circuit with his usual accept- 
ance and success. Eve« at this early period of his 
ministry, his Christian beneficence was truly remark- 
able ; — when he met with objects of distress, he often 
gave them his all. When he returned to Preston, to 
see Mrs. B., which was only once in a month, he gene- 
rally requested her to supply him with more money, 
that he might have still farther scope for the exercise 
of his charity. 

While he remained at Blackburn, he was exposed 
to the various persecutions which then raged against 
the followers of Mr. Wesley. Religious liberty was at 
that time neither understood nor practised ; and, too 
frequently, those who ought to have redressed the 
wrong, were the most zealous in exciting it. 

In visiting some places in this circuit, Mr. Bran> 
well was obliged to pass a tan yard where several bull 
dogs were kept. These were always let loose upon 
him, and he was obliged to defend himself from their 
ferocious attacks as well as he'* could. A large stick > 
pointed with iron, (which he procured for the purpose,) 
was his weapon of defence ; it served also to assist him 
in walking Notwithstanding this, his legs were fre- 
quently torn in a dangerous manner by these animals. 
The remembrance of the sufferings he thus endured, 
caused him in the succeeding part of his life, to feel 
the greatest aversion to meet, alone and unprotected > 
dogs of this description. For many years afterwards, 
and when the rights of toleration had become so far 
fixed as to render self defence unnecessary, the stick 
pointed with iron was preserved, in. memory of the good 
offices which it had rendered to its owner. 

We are now called to behold Mr. Bramwell in a dif- 
ferent relation and summoned to fulfil other important 
duties in life. Having entered into the marriage state 
with one who was in every respect suitable for him, he 
did not, like too many, relax in his zealous exertions, 
and become remiss in the discharge of his ministerial 
functions ; but while he manifested the greatest kind- 
ness to her who shared largely in his affections, he 



44 MEMOIR OF 

seemed to feel the import of these words of the apostle^ 
" It remaineth that both titty that have wives be as 
though they had none,— and they that rejoice, as though 
they rejoiced not : for the fashion of this world passe th 
away." On his return home from the circuit, his first 
inquiries in general were concerning spiritual things. 
He evinced the strongest desire to promote the best 
interests of a wife whom he ardently loved. Whenever 
he was called to leave her, he uniformly commended 
her to God in earnest prayer. 

In September, 1778, the Lord blessed him with a 
son, whom he named George after his father. Mrs. 
Bramwell was confined during his absence from Pres- 
ton. But she was speedily raised up again ; and hav- 
ing regained her former strength, was soon enabled to 
perform the part of a mother to the immortal deposit 
with which she had been entrusted. It was her strongest 
wish, as it was eminently Mr. Bramwell's, that this 
child, as well as all their future progeny, should be 
trained up in the service of God, to occupy the par- 
ticular department which Providence might afterwards 
assign to each of them. To store their infant minds 
with the best principles, at the same time that they 
were instructed in useful learning, Mr. Bramwell knew 
was the only proper way of qualifying them for filling 
any station to which they might be called. 

He had read Mr. Wesley's advice concerning the 
duty of parents towards their children, and resolved to 
act accordingly. He therefore determined to break 
their wills at an early period, and not to suffer them to 
cry aloud in his presence after they were ten months 
old. Although this may seem strange and unaccounta- 
ble to those parents who criminally indulge their chil- 
dren, yet it is a fact which ought to be generally known, 
that Mr. Bramwell's children, when in health, were 
never permitted to cry aloud in his presence after they 
had attained to that age. " He ruled well his own 
house, having his children in subjection with all gra- 
vity.' ' It must, however, be granted, that this would 
require a degree of apparent severity, which, if sane - 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 45 

tioned in theory by parents in general, would probably 
never need to be adopted in practice. The propriety 
of Mr. Wesley's assertion on this particular, has often 
been questioned, and some have said, that had he been 
a parent himself, he would have been better informed. 
But, with Mr. Bramwell, this method was not problem- 
atical : he tried the experiment, and most salutary 
were the effects which it produced. His children feel 
to this day, that they have the greatest reason to praise 
God, for being favoured, in early life, with the affec- 
tionate attentions of such a parent. The intense love 
which he entertained for all of them, is evinced in 
various parts of the correspondence subjoined to this 
memoir. 

At the conference of the year 1789, Mr. Bramwell 
was appointed to the Colne circuit, in Lancashire. He 
travelled there two years, and the Lord blessed his 
labours during the whole of that time in an eminent 
manner. He resided at Southfield, about two miles 
distant from Colne. This circuit was large in extent; 
and he was frequently thirty miles from home. Mrs. 
B. was now called to endure all those privations to 
which the wives of the preachers were subjected, in 
the commencement of Methodism. She had left her 
friends, and her home at Preston, to reside among 
strangers ; and instead of enjoying the society of her 
husband, which might have compensated for other in- 
conveniences, so unremitting were his exertions, and 
so fervent his zeal, in promoting the interests of reli- 
gion and the conversion of sinners, that he was never 
at home, excepting one night in the course of every six 
weeks. 

In this circuit he was obliged to have recourse to his 
private property, and that of Mrs. B., for the means of 
subsistence, and for the indulgence of that benevolence, 
which (according to his power) was boundless. 

But amidst all the outward difficulties with which he 
had to contend, " the pleasure of the Lord still pros- 
pered in his hand." " He went on his way rejoicing ;' 
while by reading, meditation, and prayer ? he continued 






£6 MEMOIR OF 

sedulously to qualify himself for the important charge 
with which he had been entrusted. By this judicious 
course, he " studied to show himself approved unto God, 
a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly di- 
viding the word of truth." His u profiting soon appear- 
ed unto all men." They perceived that " the hand of 
the Lord was with him." And while he improved in 
gifts and graces, the people of his care '* rejoiced in the 
light which was thus transmitted." Among those in 
the Colne circuit who received their first religious im- 
pressions under his ministry, many will be found to be 
" his crown of rejoicing in the presence of our Lord 
Jesus Christ at his coming." And what feeling in this 
mortal state can be conceived more exquisite in antici- 
pation, than that of a beloved pastor presenting the 
redeemed of his flock, before the throne of Jehovah, 
with, " Behold, I and the children whom the Lord hath 
given me !" 



CHAPTER VI. 

Mr. Bramwell's removal to the Dewshury circuit — State of re- 
ligion in that town and neighbourhood- -He gives himself to 
prayer — The work of God begins to prosper — Ann Cutler is 
rendered useful in the revival — Great numbers converted — 
A remarkable dream- Causes of his great popularity — Mr. 
Wesley's rules for a helper. 

At the conference in 1791, Mr. Bramwell was sta- 
tioned for Dewsbury. Before that period, some very 
unpleasant disputes had existed among the society in 
that place ; in consequence of which, a Mr. Atlay was 
calied by the trustees to be their minister, and the 
chapel was then lost to the Methodist Connexion. 

On Mr. Bramwell's arrival, he soon found that reli* 
gious animosities and foolish bickerings had nearly 
destroyed the religion of both parties. To a minister 
of Christ whose only desire is to see Zion in prosperity, 
such a state of things would be peculiarly afflictive, 
and perhaps few could have felt it more keenly than 
Mr< Bramwell. He mourned in private before the 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 47 

Lord ; and from the commencement of his ministry 
among that people, he resolved to enter into no disputes. 
His object was to win souls to Christ : with him, the 
possession of chapels was a thing of little importance. 
Adverting to the state of the society, he on one occa- 
sion writes as follows : — " I could not find a person 
who experienced sanctification, and but few who were 
clear in pardon. The societies in some places increas- 
ed, but active religion scarcely appeared !" 

Having witnessed the powerful effects of prayer in 
other places, he now began to supplicate the God of all 
grace. He exhorted the people to join him in this im- 
portant duty ; and, to afford them more frequent op- 
portunities of doing this, he instituted prayer meetings 
at five o'clock in the morning. The blessed effects of 
these earnest intercessions were soon apparent. At a 
band meeting, in November, 1792, four persons enter- 
ed into the glorious liberty of sanctification ; one of 
whom, Mr. Joseph Drake, an itinerant preacher, who 
died in the year 1815, testified to the last, of this great 
salvation. It has often been remarked, that when this 
doctrine is clearly and fully preached, and when a 
work of grace thus deepens in a society, there is gene- 
rally a considerable increase of new converts : such 
was the case in the Dewsbury circuit. 

About the same period, Ann Cutler was led to visit 
Dewsbury. It was her constant practice to rise be- 
tween three and four o'clock in the morning and wres- 
tle with God for a revival, while Mr. Bramwell was 
engaged in the same exercise at that early hour in ano- 
ther apartment. It was almost impossible for any one 
to take repose by sleep, or be unrefreshed in spirit, 
while near two such zealous persons, who often relieved 
the burden of their souls by praying aloud. At length 
the Lord was graciously pleased to manifest his saving 
power among the people. Mr. Bramwell remarks, 
N As I was praying in my room, I received an answer 
from God in a particular way, and had the revival dis- 
covered to me in its manner and effects. I had no 
more doubt, All my grief was gone ; I could say, 



48 MEMOIR OF 

c The Lord will come ; — I know he will come, and that 
suddenly.' " 

He then says, " Nothing appeared very particular 
till, under Nanny Cutler's prayer, one person received 
a clean heart. We were confident that the Lord would 
do the same for others. 

u At a prayer meeting, two found peace with God ; 
and in that week, two more received the same blessing. 
On the Sunday morning we had a love feast for the 
bands, when several were much concerned for sancti- 
fication. One young woman received the blessing. 
On the Monday evening the bands met. A remarka- 
ble spirit of prayer was given to the people. Four 
persons received sanctification, and some were left in 
distress. 

" Several who were the most prejudiced, were sud- 
denly struck, and in agonies groaned for deliverance. 
On the Thursday, one who had been exceedingly pain* 
ed for purity of heart, for a fortnight, was delivered. 

u The work continued almost in every meeting ; and 
sixty persons in and about Dewsbury received sancti- 
fication, and walked in that liberty. Our love feasts 
began to be crowded, and people from every neighbour- 
ing circuit visited us. Great numbers found pardon, 
and some perfect love. They went home and declared 
what God had done for them. 

" The more I consulted the Acts of the Apostles and 
Church History, the more I was convinced, that this 
was no new thing, either in its manner or effects ; but 
that in every great work of God, similar effects were 
produced. I consulted several of the senior brethren, 
who exhorted me to use every means to support the 
revival. Satan began to use his agents in different 
ways : some said one thing, and some another, but no 
man without the Spirit of God, can properly judge of 
the matter." 

The work then began to spread in almost every di- 
rection. In one quarter, about one hundred new mem- 
bers were added to the society, and many believers 
were quickened, and excited to greater diligence and 



MRe W. BRAMWELL. 49 

activity in the work of the Lord. Mr.Bramwell M re- 
joiced as one that had found great spoil." To see sin- 
ners awakened, penitents pardoned, and believers en- 
joying sanctification, — afforded him the most lively 
satisfaction. This great revival occurred during the 
second year of his stay in Dewsbury. The first he 
describes as " a year of hard labour and much grief." 
It was the season of " his sowing in tears," but in the 
second year " he reaped in joy." On more occasions 
than this, he verified in his own experience that decla- 
ration of the psalmist, — " He that goeth forth and 
weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come 
again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." 
Being a man " strong in faith, he continued instant in 
prayer." While he waited on the Lord, he was of good 
courage, and the Lord strengthened his heart. From 
the time when he first entered on his labours in the 
Dewsbury circuit, his heart would have fainted within 
him, " unless he had believed to see the goodness of 
the Lord in the land of the living." 

Thus was his joy fulfilled in many of the souls con- 
fided to his care by the great Shepherd. In order to 
be rendered more extensively useful, he visited them 
from house to house ; and advised, reproved, exhorted, 
or comforted them, as circumstances might rehire. 
In some instances, his great concern for the temporal, 
as well as the spiritual welfare of the people, was instru- 
mental in effecting the conversion of those who had 
before been careless and unconcerned about their per- 
sonal salvation. His uniform conduct, and his consci- 
entious and undeviating attention to the important du- 
ties of the ministry, soon rendered him extremely popu- 
lar : — And even many of the rich and honourable fre- 
quently attended his preaching. 

About this time, his intimate friend, Mr. John Nel- 
son, had a remarkable dream : He thought he saw Mr. 
Bramwell standing on the top of a very high ladder, 
which appeared to be elevated in a perpendicular direc- 
tion, its base resting on the ground ; but it was with- 
out any support or stay at its summit. From this, Mr 

5 



&0 MEMOIR OF 

Nelson inferred, that Mr. Brarnwell was placed in & 
most perilous situation. He immediately wrote and 
informed him of the dream ; and by way of caution^ 
added, that he appeared in that dream " to have mount- 
ed as high as he could get." " Yes," replied Mr. 
Brarnwell, when he answered his letter, i( but did you 
sfcemefall!" 

For the information of those persons who may ex- 
press some surprise at the popularity which Mr. Brarn- 
well gained in the early part of his ministry, and which 
attended him to the close of his life, — it is necessary to 
state, that* he was a man who strictly observed the 
twelve Rules, which are given in i( The Large Mi- 
nutes," respecting the office and duty of a Methodist 
preacher. He was one of those primitive Helpers in 
whom Mr. Wesley delighted, and who carry with them 
the unction, life and power of godliness. 

The following most important rules Mr. Brarnwell 
particularly regarded : they were the guides of his 
conduct, yet always in subordination to the Holy Scrip- 
tures. He viewed them indeed as an exposition of 
several scriptural directions ; and valued them highly, 
on account of their salutary consequences. 

fi Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be tri- 
flingjy employed. Never while away time, nor spend 
more time at any place than is strictly necessary. 

" Be serious. Let your motto be, Holiness to the 
Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking. 

" Believe evil of no one unless fully proved : take 
heed how you credit it. Put the best construction you 
can on every thing. You know the judge is always 
supposed to be on the prisoner's side. 

"Speak evil of no one; else your word, especially, 
would eat as doth a canker : keep your thoughts with- 
in your own breast, till you come to the person con- 
cerned. 

" Tell every one what you think wrong in him, lov- 
ingly and plainly, and as soon as may be, else it will 
fester in your own heart. Make all haste to cast the 
fire out of your bosom. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 51 

u Do not affect the gentleman. A preacher of the 
gospel is the servant of all. 

" Be ashamed of nothing but sin, no, not of cleaning 
your own shoes, when necessary. 

tl Be punctual. Do every thing exactly at the time. 
And do not mend our rules, but keep them, and that 
for conscience' sake. 

" You have nothing to do but to save souls. There- 
fore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, 
not only to those who want you, but to those who want 
you most. 

11 Act in all things, not according to your own will, 
but as a son in the gospel, and in union with your 
brethren. As such, it is your part to employ your time 
as our rules direct ; partly in preaching and visiting 
from house to house : partly in reading, meditation and 
prayer. 

*- Observe : It is not your business to preach so 
many times, and to take care merely of this or that 
society : but to save as many souls as you can ; to bring 
as many sinners as you possibly can to repentance, and 
with all your power to build them up in that holiness, 
without which they cannot see the Lord.'' 

Early rising was also a point on which Mr. Wesley 
uniformly insisted. He required it of every one that 
became a helper. 

These rules did not lie inactive in Mr. BramwelFs 
mind, as a dead letter : he practised them, because he 
conceived they were the specific terms of his admis- 
sion into the Christian ministry ; and he could esteem 
himself a true Methodist Helper no longer than while 
he acted agreeably to their spirit and intent. In the 
character which he acquired of being a strict discipli- 
narian, it was evident that the greatest severity was 
exercised on himself, and that the law by which he had 
to govern others, was, in its execution, a system of 
real mildness. 

Who does not perceive that he who adheres consci- 
entiously to these, and similar directions, must be a 
pious and useful character ? Such was Mr. Bramwell ! 



52 MEMOIR OF 

By a constant observance of these excellent regulations, 
he became " a vessel unto honour, sanctified and meet 
for the Master's use, being prepared unto every good 
work," 2 Tim. ii, 21. Into whatever circuit he went, 
the people immediately perceived, from the zealous 
manner in which he discharged the duties of his 
sacred calling, that he considered the work of the min- 
istry to be no trifling occupation. The simplicity of 
the method " by which it hath pleased God, in his in- 
finite wisdom, to save them that believe/' excited his 
admiration. And however it might be stigmatized, in 
the view of human wisdom, as " the foolishness of 
preaching," — he felt in himself, and perceived in 
others, that the declaration of " Christ crucified," 
universally proved to be " Christ the Power of God 
and the Wisdom of God." Having these just views 
of the divinely appointed means of salvation, he medi- 
tated on the things which related to his labours ; and 
adopted those plans which he deemed best calculated 
to render them efficient and acceptable. He endea- 
voured truly to make it 

All his business here below 
To cry, Behold the Lamb ! 



CHAPTER VII. 

Mr. Bramwell's labours and success in the Birstal circuit — A 
great revival — Answers to prayer — Reflections on this 
revival. 

Mr. Bramwell was appointed, in the year 1798, 
to labour in the Birstal circuit. A revival of the work 
of God had commenced in the preceding year, under 
the ministry of Messrs. Jackson and Smith. On his 
entrance into this circuit, he did not use any extraor- 
dinary public efforts, but prayed much in private, 
sometimes whole nights, and exhorted every one in 
society to adopt the same practice. These nights 
were occasionally spent in intercessions before the 
mercy seat of God, in behalf of certain individuals, 



Mil. \Y\ BRAMWELL. 53 

lor whose spiritual welfare he felt an uncommon con- 
cern. 

At the love feast on Christmas day, 1793, the Lord 
poured out his Spirit in a very remarkable manner. 
Many persons were clearly awakened, and not less 
than fifty souls "obtained redemption through the blood 
of Jesus Christ, the forgiveness of sins." Some of 
these " continued faithful unto death," and have long 
ago " received a crown of life ;" and others are " press- 
ing towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling 
of God in Christ Jesus." 

His colleague could not endure the apparent con- 
fusion which was frequent on these occasions. He 
therefore thought it his duty to oppose the revival, and 
his conduct influenced the leaders, who for a time 
maintained a cautious reserve and kept at a great dis- 
tance, not knowing what judgment to form about these 
strange proceedings. One of the most judicious of 
them, (Mr. Thomas Crowther, of Gxlmersal,) declares 
the change of his sentiments, thus : " In the love 
feast on Christmas day, I had such a conviction that 
this work was of God as caused me immediately to 
close in with it, and to give it, not only my approval, 
but my hearty co-operation. When I came out of the 
chapel on that day, several of the leaders gathered 
around me, and asked me what I still thought about 
it. I replied, * We have long been praying for a revival 
of religion, and now when it is granted to us, shall we 
be dissatisfied, and oppose its progress, because it does 
not exactly accord with our weak ideas, and does not 
manifest itself in the particular manner in which we 
expected it V " From this time all the leaders joined 
heartily with Mr. Bramwell in the work, and their 
united labours were crowned with abundant success, 
In the Birstal society alone, six leaders are now living, 
who were converted during the revival, under Mr. 
Bramwell's ministry ; independently of many other 
leaders belonging to different societies in the circuit, 
who obtained, at the same time, " like precious faith' 
with them. 

5* 



54 MEMOIR OF 

The next love feast, held on Easter Sunday, was 
also a time of refreshing from the presence of the 
Lord : other fifty souls were " turned from darkness to 
lights 

About this time an extraordinary influence went 
forth and began to manifest itself among the people. 
Persons of every rank attended the preaching of the 
word; all the chapels, and the private houses appro- 
priated to the purposes of divine worship, were exceed- 
ingly crowded. 

It was customary with Mr. Bramwell when in the 
country, to visit the different families of his hearers, 
and pray with each of them. In company, he con* 
stantly endeavoured to redeem the time by the most 
profitable exercises. He would not converse on trifling 
subjects ; but the most common theme of his discourse 
was, " What shall we do to praise the Lord more, to 
promote his glory, and obtain greater blessings?" His 
sermons were attended with such mighty power, that 
.several persons were generally in distress before the 
conclusion of the service. After preaching he often 
desired those who felt disposed, to stop and unite with 
him in holding a prayer meeting : so that, in general, 
it w T as ten or eleven o'clock at night before they left 
the chapel. 

When opportunities offered, he occasionally held 
watch nights in the circuit in private houses. In one 
held at Little Gomersal, there appeared to be nothing 
particular at the beginning. At ten o'clock Mr. Bram- 
well was about to conclude ; but he commenced again 
and continued engaged in prayer until twelve o'clock. 
At that hour he still felt unwilling to break off, and 
like Jacob, said in his heart, 

With thee all night f mean to stay, 
And wrestle till the break of day ! 

In a short time a young woman cried aloud for mercy ; 
several more were soon after in deep distress : and 
before four o'clock in the morning, fifteen souls en- 
joyed a sense of pardon, and were made glad in the 
God of their salvation. At another watch night held 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 55 

in Hunsworth Lane, about the same time, there were 
many souls saved. Those meetings were frequent in 
several parts of the circuit, and were always attended 
with a manifest blessing. 

After preaching at Morley one evening, he went into 
a friend's house to pray for a person in distress, and 
continued praying for the space of two hours. All 
that were present prayed in rotation more than once ; 
but he prayed alternately with every one that engaged 
in the exercise. While he and his friends were thus 
employed, a young man, a stranger to the Methodists, 
who was passing by, heard them, and approached the 
door to listen : he was immediately seized with con- 
viction, fell down on his knees, and, after remaining 
out of doors in that situation some time, entered the 
house and knelt down. He was seen to tremble ex- 
ceedingly, and soon afterwards fell down on the floor; 
he did not however lie long in that situation, but arose 
and began to praise God for pardoning his iniquities, 
and giving him to enjoy the light of his reconciled 
countenance. 

" So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed, 5 * 
that at the close of Mr. BramweH's labours in this cir- 
cuit, the number in society was doubled ; without 
mentioning the multitude of those who were still under 
serious impressions, but had not united themselves in 
church fellowship, — and others who were in that state 
of probation which is usually observed in the economy 
of Methodism, prior to their admission into all its 
privileges. 

The following simple narrative, by Mr. Thomas 
Pearson, sen., of Gomersal, affords some farther details 
of this work of God in that village. 

" In the year 1793, at the commencement of the 
late war, a day was appointed by government to be set 
apart for fasting and prayer ; in consequence of which, 
prayer meetings were held in our village. Religion 
was at that time at a very low ebb. The first meeting 
was held at our house in the morning. Many attended ; 
and no sooner had we commenced the service than the 



66 MEMOIR OF 

power of God manifestly affected the assembly. I had 
been chosen a leader about four months before. We 
had only seven members in the class ; and but five of 
them could be termed real members. Mr. Jackson 
was then in the circuit. The work gradually revived 
till conference ; and our class increased to about 
twenty-seven. 

"At this time Mr. Bramwell was appointed to labour 
among us. He had been the year before in Dews- 
bury, where God had abundantly owned his labours. 
He came to us full of faith and of the Holy Ghost. His 
powerful preaching and fervent prayers were so mighty 
through faith, that the stoutest hearted sinners trem- 
bled under him. Before that time we had a partial out- 
pouring ; but a mighty shower then descended, and 
the truth and power of God wonderfully prevailed, 
My class soon increased to sixty members ; and all 
ranks and degrees of men began to attend the preach- 
ing. Every place of worship in the neighbourhood was 
Crowded. Young persons only ten years of age, were 
clearly awakened, and savingly converted This had 
such an effect upon their parents, that many of them 
also were awakened. The revival was esteemed by 
many to be extraordinary and singular : some thought 
the work was of God, and others that it was too enthusi- 
astic. But it often happened, when the persons who had 
imbibed the latter opinion went to hear for themselves, 
the Divine power affected them, and they were con- 
strained to cry aloud to God for mercy. Every man 
that held any office among us, entered heartily into the 
work and performed his duty. 

"When Mr. Bramwell preached at Gomersal, he 
generally remained all night at our house. As soon as 
dinner was over, it was his constant practice to pray in 
the family, and then to visit the neighbours from house 
to house. In this way he generally called on seventeen 
or eighteen different families before tea, and prayed in 
each of them with the utmost fervour. I was accus- 
tomed to invite a few of our friends, whose chief desire 
was to have their souls blessed, to take tea with Mr 






MR. W. BRAMWELL. 57 

Bramwell in the afternoon. Affectionate inquiry was 
then made into the state of each person's mind. They 
who had not received the blessing of justification, were 
urged not to rest until they had obtained it ; aud they 
who were justified not to rest until they were sancti- 
fied, and made new creatures in Christ Jesus. After 
supper, he and I conversed some time about the affairs 
of the church at large ; he then prayed and retired to 
rest. Although Mr. Bramwell was 'greatly fatigued 
with the work of the day, and, when at our house, 
went to bed late, (generally about twelve o'clock,) he 
always rose the next morning at five, and prayed for 
particular persons by name, and for every society 
throughout the circuit. 

" I have been acquainted with many pious and holy 
persons, but one like Mr. Bramwell, for faith and pray- 
er, I never beheld. While he continued with us, the 
work went on progressively, and there was such an 
alteration throughout the circuit as was never before 
witnessed.' ' 

While Mr. Bramwell was attending the district 
meeting in Leeds, he accompanied Mr. John Nelson 
one evening to Kirkstall Forge, and preached out of 
doors to a large and attentive congregation. When 
the service was closed, a great part of the company 
retired into the chapel to hold a watch night. The 
Spirit of God was poured out, and many were awaken- 
ed. While at prayer the next morning, a female in 
the family where he lodged, who had a great aversion 
against being converted in a noisy meeting, felt the 
power of God descend upon her ; but endeavouring to 
stifle her convictions, she fell down upon the floor, and 
remained four hours in a state of apparent insensibility % 
so that many said she was dead. However, on giving 
up her own will, and yielding to be saved in God's way ; 
she revived, and was made happy. 

During his residence in Birstal, many of those who 
had profited under his ministry in Dewsbury, called on 
him and consulted him as an old and well tried friend ■ 
Indeed, all who had once proved the kindness and 



dB MEMOIR OF 

affection of his sympathizing spirit, accounted it a great 
advantage to unburden their minds in his presence. 
His counsel was not confined to spiritual things ; but, 
when desired, he gave them the most judicious advice 
respecting their temporal affairs. On these occasions 
he always closed the interview by fervent prayer to 
God in behalf of the persons who were present, men- 
tioning particularly the things about w T hich he had 
been consulted, whether they related to the soul or the 
body. 

Among others who often availed themselves of this 
privilege, Mr. Thomas Jackson, who is a woollen-cloth 
manufacturer and a local preacher in the Dewsbury 
circuit, observes : 

*'One Tuesday morning as I was going to Leeds 
market, I called upon Mr. Bramwell at Birstal. Our 
trade was at that time in a state of great depression. I 
had many goods on hand in the cloth hall, and was not. 
able during many weeks to dispose of a single piece. 
I related these circumstances to Mr. Bramwell. Feel- 
ing much for my situation, he said, Thomas, let us 
pray ! We knelt down together ; and he prayed with 
such holy fervency, and such expressions of confidence 
in God, as I shall not soon forget. He spoke in faith, 
as if it had been actually revealed to him that my help 
was at hand. I set off from his house, and pursued 
my journey to Leeds, endeavouring all the way to be- 
lieve what the man of God had uttered in prayer. My 
faith gained strength by reflecting on the many gracious 
declarations which God had given in his word concern* 
ing his care for the bodies of his people, and his supply 
of their wants. I soon found him to be the God of 
providence as well as of grace : for I had not been 
more than a quarter of an hour at my stand in the 
cloth hall, before a merchant, with whom I had never 
before traded, came up to me and purchased all the 
goods which I had on hand. This answer to prayer 
proved to me, at that period, a most seasonable relief, 
and has encouraged me ever since to confide in the 
provident goodness of my heavenly Father, 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. &9 

" I know several extraordinary instances of answers 
to Mr. BramwelFs prayers. Take the following:— 
One day when he was at our house, a local preacher 
came in haste to request that he would instantly return 
with him and pray with a gentleman, who was then 
extremely ill and apparently in the article of death, yet 
altogether unprepared for such an awful change. I 
united my pressing solicitations with those of the 
messenger, to induce him to go ; but, after all our rea- 
soning and entreaties, we could not prevail. Seating 
himself in a thoughtful posture, he appeared for a short 
time to be in a state of mental abstraction. He then 
said, Let us pray ! and, kneeling down, he prayed in 
a most powerful manner. Among other strong ex- 
pressions which he employed, he declared in all the 
confidence of faith, O Lord! we believe thou wilt save 
the gentleman about whom we have been talking ! — The 
local preacher retired ; and, I own my surprise was 
great when a few days afterwards, I was told that the 
gentleman had very soon experienced the pardoning 
love of God, and had received a blessed assurance of 
favour divine" 

Many of Mr. BramwelFs friends, in their intercourse 
with him have remarked that he possessed a gift which 
nearly resembled " the discerning of spirits." His in- 
timate communion, and close walk with God, entitled 
him to the appellation which was given to Abraham : 
" He was called the friend of God" When the 
Lord was about to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, he 
said, tC Shall I hide from Abraham that thing which I 
do?" It is not, therefore, at all wonderful, if men emi- 
nent for piety often find, in more senses than one, that 
" the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." 
Do not those affairs which are termed " common provi- 
dential occurrences," speak in other language to them 
than to the rest of mankind 1 How much clearer then 
must be their apprehension of spiritual things, since it 
is peculiarly in these that " God manifests himself unto 
them, and not unto the world !" The nature of the 
'•ommunion which holy souls enjoy with God, and the 



80 MEMOIR OF 

terms of the close relation which subsists between him 
and them, are not at all times proper subjects of descrip- 
tion. The promiscuous disclosure of them is often only 
v* casting pearls before swine." Those who attempt to 
explain such things, most commonly display a profund- 
ity of mysticism, because they are tempted to travel 
wide of the record which the Scriptures give, and to 
employ phrases which are not congenial to the simpli- 
city of the gospel. 

Some of the gifts which good men receive, may be 
mentioned to edification, because they are " for the 
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, 
for the edifying of the body of Christ." Others are 
of a more particular, a secret kind, and communicated 
only to chosen souls. They form no subject of instruc- 
tion to other persons, but seem to be tokens of Divine 
regard towards the individuals themselves. " A stranger 
intermeddleth not with" the satisfaction which they 
convey. Of the latter description was the discernment 
of the spirits of men, which Mr. Bramwell at times ap- 
peared to possess. He was neither accustomed to speak 
of it in public, nor in the company of friends. Its effects 
have been frequently noticed ; and, indeed, his occa- 
sional exercise of it in the presence of others, was the 
only method by which it ever became visible. Mr. 
Thomas Jackson, the good man who is the narrator of 
the preceding anecdotes, gives the first of the follow- 
ing instances, and Mr. Stones, a zealous itinerant 
preacher, has communicated the others. 

f * A woman with whom I was well acquainted, and 
who had been a member of the Methodist society many 
years, came into our house one day, when Mr. Bram- 
well was with us. He looked earnestly at her, and said, 
1 Woman ! you are a hypocrite ! and if you do not repent 
and become converted, hell will be your everlasting 
portion !' He then added, ' I know you will hate me 
for thus speaking the truth.' — I was amazed at the 
abruptness of his manner, and the strong language in 
which he expressed himself; and not the less when I 
reflected on the person to whom all this had been said, 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 61 

because I entertained a high opinion of her religious 
character. But I was soon convinced of the truth of 
Mr. Bramweirs words ; for the poor woman had de- 
parted self-condemned and humbled under a conscious- 
ness of her guilt. She sent for me late in the even- 
ing of the same day, and desired me to pray with her, 
as she felt herself in great distress of spirit. I found 
her calling to ' remembrance from whence she had 
fallen ;' she was in a hopeful state of repentance, and 
desirous of ' doing the first works.' I therefore com- 
plied with her request, and poured out my soul before 
the throne of grace in earnest intercessions. In the 
course of a few hours, the Lord was pleased to mani- 
fest his mercy to her, and by ' his Spirit bare witness 
with her spirit that she was a child of God.' Her joy 
was excessive ; and she has been often heard to declare, 
that if she had died in the state of mind in which 
Mr. Bramwell saw her, she must have been eternally 
lost." 

" One day," says Mr. Stones, " as he and I were 
going together to visit the sick, we passed a public 
house, out of which came a man, just as we had got 
"beyond the door. When we had proceeded a little 
farther, Mr. Bramwell groaned in spirit, and said, 'The 
Lord have mercy on that man ! Do you know who he 
is?' I replied, 'Yes, sir! Do you?' 'No,' said. he, 
1 but this I know, that he is a perfect infidel. ' Dear 
Mr. Bramwell ! said I, do not say so. He replied with 
increased emphasis, ■ I am sure of it ! He is a perfect 
infidel V — It is remarkable, that this very man, to my 
certain knowledge, was then, and (for aught I know to 
the contrary) is still, such a character for infidelity 
and profaneness, as perhaps has not his equal in ali 
Yorkshire, if in the United Kingdom. 

H One night as I was preaching at Birstal, a man 
(who was a stranger to all present,) either in pretence or 
in reality fell ill, and had to be taken out of the chapel 
The account which he afterwards gave of himself was„ 
that he came out of Lancashire, (from Leigh or its 
vicinity,)— was in search of work, — had had nothing 

6 



62 MEMOIR OP 

to eat for three or four days, &c. One of our friend? 
took him home, and gave him a night's lodging. The 
next morning two of the friends came to me, and ex- 
pressed a desire to beg something for the relief of the 
poor man. I immediately headed the subscription list 
with the small sum which I considered it my duty to 
give ; and they went round the village to obtain what 
they could from others. 

"In the mean time Mr. Bramwell came home out of 
the circuit. I related the whole affair to him. He 
wished greatly to see the man himself; and I went with 
him to the house where the man had lodged during the 
preceding night. We found him within ; for he was 
waiting to receive the money which the friends were 
collecting for him before he took his departure. The 
man very pathetically related his tale of wo to Mr. 
Bramwell. His account appeared to me to be quite 
rational, accurate, and ingenuous : it pierced to the 
bottom of my heart. While the man was rehearsing 
his troubles, Mr. Bramwell had his eyes closed, and 
frequently groaned in spirit. At length he lifted up his 
head and looked at the man with an eye that seemed 
to pierce him through, and said, ' Tell me ! Is there 
not a bastard child in all this V The man appeared to 
be thunderstruck ; he began to tremble, faltered in his 
speech, and at length confessed that he had left home 
to avoid the payment to an illegitimate child which the 
law exacted. Mr. Bramwell very faithfully warned him 
of his sin and danger, and advised him to go home, 
desist from his evil practices, and turn to God with 
purpose of heart. The man expressing some reluctance 
about returning home, Mr. Bramwell threatened to have 
him taken up as an impostor if he did not leave the 
town immediately. We watched him out of the town, 
and were glad that he had gone away without his booty. 
Mr. B. afterwards assured me, that (to the best of his 
recollection) he had never seen the man before." 

The Revival of Religion, of which a very imper- 
fect detail has been given in this chapter, was felt not 
only in Birstal, but in all the neighbouring circuits 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 63 

Many carnal persons, that had heard wonderful ac- 
counts about the individuals who, it was said, " had 
turned the world upside down," went to Birstal out ol 
curiosity. Their going up was sanctified to numbers 
of them, who, on their return, could say u with a glad 
heart and free," " It is good for us to have been there!" 
They obtained pardon and peace, and l€ went down to 
their houses justified," and praising the God of their 
salvation. 

But this great work was as remarkable for the quick* 
ening and purifying of believers, as for the awakening 
and " justifying of the ungodly." The mention of " a 
clean heart" had been, to several of their incredulous 
minds, a sound as of one that " brought certain strange 
things to their ears." They were, however, inclined 
to go up in the character of spies ; but many of them 
felt to their comfort that the place which they went to 
explore was nothing less than a land of Goshen. There 
they found " a feast of fat things full of marrow, and 
of wines on the lees well refined." While they were 
led to pray l< Create in me a clean heart, and renew a 
right spirit within me," — the answer was given, " I 
will, be thou clean ;" and they departed from that place 
glorifying God. Great was the multitude o^ those who 
at such seasons had joined themselves to the assembly 
of the faithful, without indulging in any expectation of 
obtaining a blessing. 

But the humble souls, who in the simplicity of their 
hearts, had gone up " hungering and thirsting after 
righteousness, were not disappointed or sent empty 
away, but were filled with the good things" of the 
kingdom. These were as the days of " the Son of 
man ;" and long will they be remembered. Many be- 
lievers now living in the Leeds, Halifax, Bradford, and 
Huddersfield circuits, refer to that period as to the 
time of their espousals to Christ. The Holy Spirit 
wrought powerfully. Faith was in lively exercise both 
in the preachers and the people. The weapons which 
they wielded were " not carnal, but mighty through 
£od to the pulling down of strong holds." The shak* 



£4 MEMOIR OF 

Ing among the dry bones was wonderful ; and before 
Mr. Bramwell left that circuit, such was the extraor- 
dinary influence of the Spirit, that while he prophesied 
to them, they stood up " a goodly multitude, complete." 
" The bones had come together, sinews and flesh had 
come upon them, and the skin had covered them above; 
and the breath had come into them, and they lived, 
and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army." 
l< This was the Lord's doing ; it was marvellous in the 
eyes of all." The characteristics of this work were so 
striking, as to convince even the profane that it " was 
not of men but of God." Very few mockers were 
found in that circuit. If there were any to whom the 
following words of St. Paul could apply, they were peo- 
ple who resided at a distance from the scene of these 
divine operations, and who heard only exaggerated ac- 
counts of confusion and noise, and gave no credence 
to any of the good effects which happily resulted : to 
them, therefore, it might be said, " Behold, ye de~ 
spisers, and wonder, and perish ! For I work a work in 
your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe^ 
though a man declare it unto you." 

Amidst all the fervour of the revival, it was Mr. 
BramwelPs constant cry, " Not unto us, O Lord, not 
unto us ; but unto thy name be the glory !" The greatest 
fear he knew, was lest any of the instruments whom 
the Lord had honoured by employing them in that 
cause, should forget their own littleness, and, beginning 
to think too highly of themselves, should neglect to 
ascribe all the praise to God, to whom it was entirely 
due. That sinful man should thus in the slightest de- 
gree encroach on the province of God, was an idea 
most revolting to his grateful spirit. He could not en- 
dure the bare contemplation of it ; but in all the fer- 
vency of holy zeal, he bore his decided testimony against 
such a presumptuous infringement of the Divine rights, 
and denounced the man who could audaciously attempt 
to rob God of his glory. In this way he was the happy 
instrument of preserving many unwary and aspiring 
souls from being dashed against the rocks of spiritual 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 65 

pride. How many have we seen, who, on other occa- 
sions than this, (instead of esteeming it an act of un- 
precedented condescension in God to employ them in 
executing any of the saving purposes of his grace,) — 
have reversed the case, and, fancying themselves to be 
persons of much consequence in the economy of salva- 
tion, have actually been brought to think, thaf, by their 
trivial deeds they could render the Lord of hosts essen- 
tial service ! To the Messiah of God it appertains, and 
to him alone, to declare, " Mine arm brought salva- 
tion !" while with all humility of soul, it becomes the 
redeemed of every degree to confess, respecting them- 
selves and others, " We got not the land in possession 
by our own sword, neither did our own arms save us; 
but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy 
countenance, — because thou hadst a favour unto us." 
He guarded with much jealousy against the rising of 
this proud feeling in himself; and he was equally anx- 
ious to hinder its prevalence in others. If he beheld 
it even in its budding, he was accustomed to exclaim 
against it, and to warn every man of its dangerous 
consequences. For he knew that such a spirit pro* 
voked most justly God's indignation and wrath, imped- 
ed the blessed work of salvation, destroyed all personal 
religion in the individuals by whom it was cherished^ 
and brought on all the labours of a minister," blasting, 
and mildew, and hail." Without doubt, it is comely 
and proper to rejoice when sinners are awakened and 
converted. Such happy occurrences must afford the 
highest gratification both to the minister whose labours, 
have been honoured with an issue so successful, and 
to all the faithful in Christ Jesus. For if there " be 
greater joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, 
than over ninety and nine just persons that need no 
repentance," — a similar expression of gladness on earth 
cannot be sinful. — But one part of his employment who 
is " the accuser of the brethren," consists in an attempt 
to attack the unguarded human heart when it is elated 
with sacred pleasure, and to change this correct and 
heavenly feeling, into a towering principle of arro- 

6* 




66 MEMOIR ©F 

gance. How needful, therefore, amidst the most 
sacred delight, to " watch and pray that we enter not 
into temptation !" We may rejoice, but it ought to be 
"with trembling" on account of the frailty of our 
nature. 

In all considerable revivals of religion, it has been 
the objection of worldly men and lukewarm Christians, 
that numbers " have fallen from their Christian stead- 
fastness, and concerning faith have made shipwreck." 
This defection has been noticed in particular among 
youthful professors. But was there ever known a fruit- 
ful soil into which the enemy did not attempt to intro- 
truce noxious weeds ? And he can accomplish this 
purpose with the greatest secrecy and the best effect, 
by mixing his tares with the wheat. — Yet the charge? 
when it is applied to revivals in the Methodist societies, 
is not so well founded as many persons imagine. 

For allow, that in the heat of a revival a youtL de- 
praved in his manners is converted. Being made happy 
by the removal of all condemnation from his mind, in 
the generous ardour of pious feeling he wishes for all 
around him to possess the same blessings as those which 
he enjoys. To effect this, he begins to exhort the care- 
less among his relations, companions, and neighbours, 
to escape everlasting punishment, by believing on the 
Lord Jesus. He becomes active in prayer meetings 
and Sunday schools, and in visiting sick people. His 
zeal, untempered by knowledge or experience, prompts 
liim soon to engage with all his heart in several public 
devotional exercises. His religion being a lively prin- 
ciple, does not permit him to indulge in a morbid still- 
ness. Concede likewise that such a young person 
f* having no root in himself sometimes dureth but for a 
while. " Either his pride is hurt and his piety blasted,— 
or understanding little about the sufficiency of Divine 
grace and the stratagems of the devil, he is readily en- 
ticed from his high tower by " that wicked one," and 
suffers his love to decline, and his exertions to cease 
The previous ardency of this youth's zeal for the glory 
of God is the cause why his fall is a matter of the 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, b* 

greatest notoriety, and fills the mouth of unbelievers 
with expressions of triumph. 

But let another youth, placid in his disposition and 
moral in his habits, unite himself with a sedate com- 
pany of believing people, profess his faith in Christ, 
evince a change of heart by the fruits of a stricter life, 
and proceed in his Christian course rejoicing. These 
good people, having none of the appearance of religious 
ardour about them, are able, by the sole force of their 
own still example, to keep their young convert in bis 
proper place, — that is, as a learner. But should he 
yield to his former worldly spirit, dislike to act from 
righteous motives, absent himself from many of the di- 
vine ordinances, (especially the sacrament of the Lord's 
supper,) and retain very little even of the form of god- 
liness, — yet as he had never made himself conspicuous 
in religious matters, and still continues occasionally to 
associate with the people of God, his fall is scarcely 
perceptible. By some of his religious friends, the 
change in his heart is called " a degree of colder feel- 
ing ;" and those who view it with pain have often suf- 
ficient liberality to impute it only to " a temporary luke- 
warmness." During all this time, his outward moral 
conduct is faultless ; and the men of the world, seeing 
scarcely any difference between the commencement, 
the carrying on, and the catastrophe, of this work of 
grace, find in it no manner of reproach, and his fate 
excites no public animadversion. Yet his defection is 
as deep as that of the other, though the steps by which 
he descended are not so palpable and precipitous. 

All persons except those who oppose conjecture to 
experience, will perceive, that this difference is a cor- 
rect one, with regard to many of the individuals " who 
draw back to perdition," and that it applies as forcibly, 
in another respect, to whole communities. For it often 
happens even in the Methodist. connexion, that a zeal- 
ous, lively people, experience a great increase of mem- 
bers, while another society in the same circuit and at 
only a short distance, remains stationary. Some of 
the members of the latter are usually foremost in cen* 



68 MEMOIR OF 

soriousness, and mark with a scornful finger how many 
new converts among their zealous neighbours " have 
put their hands to the plough, and by looking back, 
have rendered themselves unfit for the kingdom of 
God." Such an unhappy occurrence ought to excite 
within a pious breast, emotions of a different descrip- 
tion. But these jaundiced animadverters, who see all 
things through a perverting medium, commonly forget 
to take any account of those awakened at the same 
time, " who still retain their integrity, and are going 
on to perfection. " They never consider, that if all 
the members of their own body have not " left their 
first love," they in reality feel little of its animating 
power. They can calculate with officious avidity, that 
the lively society has in twelve months lost more mem* 
bers than they have lost in twelve years : but they sel- 
dom venture to recollect, that, within the same num- 
ber of months, the very people with whom they insti- 
tute the comparison, have gained a greater number of 
hopeful members than their accusers have done in as 
many years. — In a society, therefore, in which if the 
work of the Lord" remains in nearly a fixed state, the 
decrease in the number of its members will, in general, 
be very trifling ; while in a neighbouring society, though 
several may have " fallen from their steadfastness m, 
Christ/' yet the increase of stable members is often 
numerous in a tenfold proportion. 

In these observations the greatest allowance is made, 
as to the numbers of those who fall away ; but on a strict 
scrutiny even into the smallest society in which a re- 
vival occurs, it will be generally discovered that Satan 
and his emissaries have magnified the apostates into 
four times their actual number. All boasting on the 
part of discreet members and grave societies being 
thus effectually excluded, would it not be a more Chris- 
tian method to lay aside many of their unjust preju- 
dices, and " be willing for a season to rejoice in the 
light" which they might behold in others ? Would not 
such a course be a great personal benefit to themselves, 
and bring them into a train for f i catching the sacjred' 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 69 

flame?" If they cannot thus submit themselves, let 
them " be watchful and strengthen the things which 
remain, that are ready to die." The mind of man is 
too prone to substitute its own previous conceptions of 
the manner in which God ought to conduct his opera- 
lions, for the method which he is pleased in his infinite 
wisdom actually to adopt. Naaman's spirit and address 
were perfectly natural when he said, "Behold I thought, 
he will surely come out to me. Are not Abana and 
Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters 
of Israel ?" And the arguments of his servants were 
inspired by Heaven : they said, " My father, if the pro* 
phet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldst thou 
not have done it?" Indeed, all God's plans are founded 
on the abasing of human pride, " that no flesh may 
glory in his presence." In the admirable process of 
his grace, " He hath chosen the foolish things of the 
world to confound the wise, and the weak things of the 
world to confound the things which are mighty." 

It would be wrong to close these reflections, without 
adverting to the case of some " who kept not their first 
estate" in grace. The provisions for catechumens in 
the Methodist societies, are probably the best which 
could be devised by human wisdom under the influence 
of Divine teaching. Class meetings are real nurseries 
for all that is lovely and excellent in religion. But it 
sometimes happens, that they who are placed at the 
head of them, are so occupied with other departments 
of the work of God as to forget to feed the lambs of the 
flock. This is especially the case during a revival. 
They are like some eager fishermen, who, in their 
haste to obtain a fresh draught, neglect to secure those 
fishes which they had previously caught. Other class 
leaders are competent to build up believers in their 
most holy faith ; but have not discernment enough to 
instruct recent converts in " the first principles of the 
doctrine of Christ," without a knowledge of which all 
attempts to raise a Christian character must be fruitless. 
When a young Christian falls into hands like these, he 
s required, at too early a period of his novitiate, to 



*?0 MEMOIR OF 

bear his part in social prayer, instead of being exhorted 
to "give attendance to reading." And at the time 
when he ought " to be swift to hear and slow to speak,' ' 
his opinion is often asked about church matters or 
religious doctrines, which should only engage the 
attention of more advanced disciples. It is in this way 
that the Bible becomes neglected, ignorance is engen- 
dered, and pride fostered. The youth, raw and inex- 
perienced as he is, appears quite conscious that he has 
a capacity for every thing, and that " he has more un- 
derstanding than all his teachers." He begins there- 
fore to slight pious instruction ; forms rash judgments 
about "things indifferent, " and is not backward in 
giving them utterance. In the mean time, some good 
people can see nothing wrong in all this, but consider 
it a proof of " an independent spirit !" How much 
more consistent would it be in every Christian to in- 
culcate and encourage " that mind which was also in 
Christ Jesus," and to which all his followers have this 
special invitation,— 6 * Take my yoke upon you and 
learn of me ; for I am meek and lowly in heart : and 
ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is 
easy, and my burden is light." Such a yoke as this 
" it is good for a man to bear in his youth." 

Though these observations apply with much propria 
ety to some young people who forsake the way of peace : 
yet in many instances they are no less true respecting 
elder persons, who find themselves placed in similar 
circumstances after their reception into the fold of 
Christ. However advanced they may be in years, they 
are but "as new-born babes;" and from the fixed na- 
ture of their former habits, are as liable as younger 
people to have their " minds corrupted from the sim- 
plicity that is in Christ." It is not peculiar to any 
period of life for " the dog to turn to his own vomit again, 
and the sow that was washed, to her wallowing in the 
mire." An injudicious course of instruction, and the 
baneful infection of froward examples, may cause aged 
persons to relapse as speedily as their juniors. With 
fess " excuse for their sin," they can be more confident 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 11 

and dogmatical about many things that have no imme- 
diate reference to their salvation ; and " having per- 
verted their way," they are too apt " to forget the Lord 
their God." 

Mr. Bramwell therefore never acted more in the 
character of " a wise master builder," than when he 
made careful provision for recent converts. By painful 
experience, he had known, in himself, the pernicious 
consequences which accrue from a want of early Chris- 
tian tuition. After he had felt the first gracious visita- 
tion of the Holy Spirit, " no man cared for his soul.' 5 
He had " stumbled about on the dark mountains" till 
at length he was favoured with " the communion of 
saints." He was therefore well qualified to appreciate 
the value of Christian society and pious advice ; and 
adopted measures in every place for ensuring these 
benefits to all who were admitted within the pale of the 
Christian church. Directions were given to the most 
prudent and well informed class leaders, to take special 
charge of all who evinced a concern for their salvation. 
They were advised to encourage the timid, and by all 
gentle methods, to prevent those who were only " gird- 
ing on their harness, from boasting themselves as they 
that were putting it off." It was also his practice to 
meet the converts of each sex separately, to give them 
appropriate counsel respecting their conduct, point out 
proper books for their perusal, and to recommend, above 
all, the constant reading of the Scriptures, and a strict 
attention to personal religion and private devotion. 

When he perceived them observant of these precepts, 
he invited their attention to the doctrinal works of 
Wq^ley and Fletcher. He disliked that wavering hu- 
mour in religious opinions which some persons have 
thought fit to dignify with the high sounding title of 
liberality. Knowing that superficial attainments in 
practical piety are too often caused by unsettled notions 
about religious truth, he introduced to their notice the 
immortal productions of those two great men, as a 
complete treasury of needful " erudition for a Christian 
man." Considering that system of doctrines to be in 



72 MEMOIR OF 

perfect agreement with the Scriptures of truth, and ad- 
mirably adapted to the wants of man, he was induced 
to dilate on their excellence at every fit opportunity. 
In this way, he laboured not only to gain converts, but 
to form Christians and establish believers. 

But after all his judicious precautions and laudable 
anxiety, he was sometimes called to mourn over mise- 
rable backsliders. It would have been most wonderful, 
if, in this respect "the disciple had been above Christ 
his master," who had one Judas in his select company. 
Mr. Bramwell was too well acquainted with the consti- 
tution of human nature to be amazed at these unhappy 
occurrences, " as though some strange thing had hap- 
pened unto him." His compassion was on such occa- 
sions powerfully excited, and he earnestly longed to 
" reclaim and bring these wanderers back." In this 
department of the work of God, he was uncommonly 
successful. Several who " did once run well," heard 
this "son of consolation," and "in the strength of 
grace," were induced again to commence their Chris- 
tian career. His addresses, full of affection, were in- 
strumental in their restoration to the favour of God, 
which they had forfeited. On this account, his memory 
will long be cherished by many, who, on this topic, 
" had heard him gladly/' and who now adorn their 
Christian profession by blameless lives, and a holy con- 
versation. He lived to see numbers of returning pro- 
digals, and, in imitation of the paternal compassion of 
the God of heaven, he ran to meet them, gave them an 
affectionate welcome, and called on all around to the 
expression of gladness, because M those who had been 
dead, were alive again ; — those who had been lost were 
found." 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 73 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Mr. Bramwell is stationed in the Sheffield circuit — A great re- 
vival in that town — His diligence in the work of the ministry 
— His acquirements and the manner in which they were ap- 
plied — Reflections on the improvement of time — Anecdotes 
— Letters. 

The conference in 1795 directed Mr. Bramwell to 
labour in the Sheffield circuit. He was quite unknown 
to the friends in that town. The reason of this appoint- 
ment is explained in the following communication by 
Mr. Henry Longden : 

" Early in the year 1794, our revered father in the 
gospel, Mr. A. Mather, paid a pastoral visit to Shef- 
field. As he had been twice stationed in this circuit, 
he knew many pious individuals there, and felt for 
them an unceasing affection. He had recently visited 
several circuits in the north of England, where there 
was a revival of religion and a great increase in the 
societies ; he had there caught the holy flame, and in 
every place endeavoured with renewed ardour to spread 
its influence.* In addressing the members of the Shef- 
field society, he told them ' that in all those places 
where the Lord had lately poured out his Spirit, it was 
in answer to earnest prayer. The preachers every 
where, after the usual services, held prayer meetings ; 
all who could conveniently remain, united to implore 
a general blessing ; and the Lord, who had inspired 
the desire, granted their requests: it was done accord- 
ing to their faith.' During this visit they had many 
refreshing seasons together. 

" After his departure, Mr. Moon and Mr. Cooper 
continued to unite, in the same manner, with the peo- 
ple in public prayer. The good seed sown by Mr. 

* See Mr. Mather's interesting account of the revival of reli- 
gion at Hull, in the London Methodist Magazine, vol. xvii. 
page 603. % 

7 



74 MEMOIR OF 

Mather soon appeared. On the day of the following 
midsummer love feast, a shower of reviving, savings 
and sanctifying grace descended, and the people were 
overwhelmed with its influence. A particular account 
of this great work is found in the London Methodist 
Magazine, vol. xviii, page 415, written by Mr. Moon. 

if In August, 1794, the conference appointed Mr. 
Blagburn as Mr. Cooper's successor, and in the follow- 
ing year 380 souls were added to the church. These 
two blessed men were well calculated by their zeal to 
promote, and by their wisdom to defend, this extraor- 
dinary work of the Spirit. The Sheffield people were 
anxious respecting a successor ; and as the conference 
of 1795 approached, Mr. Mather was requested to re- 
commend, and if possible to procure, 'a man after 
God's own heart;' one who had witnessed a similar 
effusion of the Holy Spirit. Mr. Bramwell was sent, an 
entire stranger to the people, in answer to prayer ; and 
was every where received as an angel of God. The 
ground was prepared by his excellent predecessors ' to 
receive the good seed' in some places, and in others 
'the fields were already white unto the harvest.' 

" The people soon perceived Mr. Bramwell was a 
man come out from God ; his words were accompanied 
with a divine authority and a gracious unction. In 
several houses where he lodged, while in the country, 
his prayers and intercessions were often heard many 
times during the night. He uniformly left his bed at 
four in the morning to enter upon the duties of the day ; 
every moment of which was spent in union with God, 
and in devotedness to the salvation of the people. 

" Plenteously anointed with holy oil, he proclaimed 
the jubilee of the gospel, the acceptable year of the 
Lord, the day of deliverance to all that believe. As his 
whole soul was employed in this work of preaching, so 
he required of his hearers their silent, fixed attention. 
Children might not disturb ; the heart might not slum- 
ber, if observed ; nor might the eye of an individual 
wander. When these important preliminaries of use- 
fulness were secured, he directed the mind to wait only 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 75 

upon God as the great fountain of blessings, and to 
look to Christ as the only object of faith, * that with 
meekness they might receive the ingrafted word which 
is able to save the soul.' 

" Every where he preached * Christ as our wisdom, 
righteousness, sanctification, and redemption/ and faith 
as the great duty enjoined in the gospel. He showed 
distinctly the proper subjects of saving faith, and that 
all such (and such only) as, in obedience to the com- 
mand of God, attempt to believe, are enabled also to 
believe and receive instantly the answer of faith, the 
salvation of the soul ; that salvation is wrought by the 
grace of God, through the exercise of faith ; and that, 
though salvation has unlimited degrees, it has two lead- 
ing characters, viz. Justification and Sanctifica- 
tion : — That as we cannot be justified from the guilt of 
past offences but by faith, so we are sanctified through- 
out by the exercise of the same faith : that the accom- 
plishment of the promises by faith is always instanta- 
neous ; and that such a faith in powerful operation is 
to be distinguished from that which is a gracious habit 
of the mind ; a faith wherein we stand, and walk, and 
overcome the world. 

" These doctrines Mr. Bramwell urged in almost 
every sermon; yet he did not exalt them and depre- 
ciate others. For as divine truth sweetly harmonizes 
when seen comprehensively, so he published every doc- 
trine of the gospel, bringing ( out of the treasury things 
new and old.' To say that he was popular every where 
is saying very little. While he was engaged in the 
pulpit, sinners saw their natural face as in a glass, 
and were deeply affected with a sight of their sinful 
deformity ; professors beheld the awful difference be- 
tween the form of godliness and the power ; and the 
attention of saints was turned upon themselves as con- 
nected with their holy calling. The humble, the broken 
hearted, the thirsty for God, were encouraged now to 
.believe in Christ as a present and all-sufficient Saviour. 
1 The hand of the Lord was with his servant, and 
frnany believed and turned to the Lord.' Under his 



76 MEMOIR OF 

awakening appeals, untold numbers have trembled; 
the veil of ignorance and the mask of hypocrisy were 
torn away, when the real characters were shown in the 
light of the gospel. Under his persuasive ministry, 
many a Lydia's heart was opened, many a bowed spi- 
rit transported, and ' shared in the gladness of all that 
believe.' 

" In promoting the work of the Lord, Mr. Bramwell 
employed the talents of the local preachers, leaders, 
and other individuals, in prayer ; and they became im- 
portant helpers to him in every place. The embers of 
love were kindled all around : and when he revisited 
the societies, he found them ' striving together for the 
furtherance of the gospel.' Opposition was broken 
down, lukewarmness was destroyed, a holy union was 
maintained, and the work of God in the town and 
country broke out in a flame of life, and power, and 
zeal. Itinerant and local preachers, with others, have 
come more than fifty miles in search of the blessing of 
a clean heart ; and joining with him in the holy vio- 
lence of prayer, have returned, glorifying God for the 
wonders of his saving power. Wherever he went, visi- 
ble signs and wonders were wrought in the name of 
Christ : and in the course of the first year, twelve hun- 
dred and fifty members were added to the society ! He 
and his fellow labourers ceased not to remind the class 
leaders of their responsibility in feeding and guiding 
the ' church of God which he had purchased with his 
own blood/ and that they ought to make up the lack 
of the preachers' service towards all those who were 
but newly found in Christ.' 

" As an overseer of souls, he frequently visited eight 
or ten families in the early part of the day. These 
visits were short and spiritual. If possible, he would 
have the whole family collected, and having ascertain- 
ed the religious state of them all, he would pray for 
each by name, and implore blessings suited to their 
respective necessities. We have often felt on these 
occasions the influence of his affectionate solicitude, 
his penetrating look, and his pointed inquiries ; and 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 77 

believe it was in vain for the formalist, the backslider, 
and the hypocrite, to elude detection by him. The 
rich and the poor were admonished, growing evils in 
families destroyed in the bud : parents, children, and 
servants, taught their proper duty ; and all were con- 
strained to assert, respecting our revered friend, ' in 
labours he was more abundant' 

" When a minister so fully discharges his pastoral 
office among a numerous people, he is in danger of 
neglecting the diligent study of the Scriptures, and of 
making a superficial preparation for the pulpit. Mr. 
Bramwell, however, was not content to read the in- 
spired volume in his vernacular tongue ; but he dili- 
gently studied it in the language in which it was writ- 
ten. He manifested no laxness, but evinced that every 
discourse was the result of much labour. We know 
that he weighed human opinions contained in com- 
mentaries ; but he sought for the Divine teaching in 
all things. And, without controversy, he was an able 
workman who needed not to be ashamed. The style 
of his composition was peculiarly his own. We do not 
know that he had any model set before him. His sen- 
tences were generally short and terse, containing much 
point, calculated to convey instruction and conviction 
directly to the mind. Sometimes there was a natural 
and beautiful abruptness elicited from the workings of 
his soul, which was burdened with the sacred message 
from God to the people. This has operated as a two- 
edged sword, penetrating to the centre, and dividing 
the joints and marrow. He was acquainted with the 
workings of the heart and the devices of Satan, and 
studied mankind in man as well as in books, witness- 
ing in society all its variety of circumstances and fluc- 
tuations. This only can account for the adaptation of 
his sermons to every congregation, and every public 
or calamitous event ; for he ' rightly divided the word 
of truth, and gave to each a portion in season.' 

" Mr. Bramwell delighted to press the people to be- 
lieve, but he did not omit to inculcate the weighty 

matters of the law. He recommended a punctual at- 

7# 



78 MEMOIR OP 

tendance upon the public means of grace, but he would 
not have any duty neglected at home. He insisted 
upon the necessity of private prayer, but he would not 
infringe upon the work of searching the Scriptures. 
He considered the religion of Christ as an empty name 
when it was destitute of love ; that perfect, powerful, 
and operative principle, which leads to acts of univer- 
sal good will to man. He proclaimed, ' Owe no man 
any thing but love.' 

u When we inquire respecting the cause of the al- 
most unparalleled fruits of his labours, we find that truth 
must be clearly perceived before it can be represented 
with clearness to others ; that it must be felt in the 
heart of the speaker, before it can impress the heart 
and arouse the conscience of the hearer. And thus it 
was : Mr. Bramwell was not only earnest externally r , 
but he was inwardly and powerfully impressed with 
the importance of rightly explaining the doctrines and 
enforcing the precepts of Christ to dying, perishing 
men, and laboured to be c clear of the blood of all men.' 

" Mr. Bramwell was himself the example of all he 
recommended. The more intimately his private habits 
of life were known, the more he was esteemed and 
venerated. Those who were thus favoured, breathed in 
his society a heavenly atmosphere, and acknowledged 
a peculiar influence to accompany all his conversation. 
They admired the correctness of his principles of ac- 
tion, which were conformed to the precepts of the gos- 
pel : they saw that ' in simplicity and godly sincerity, 
not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, he 
had his conversation in the world, and more abundant- 
ly towards them.' 

" He saw the possibility, that, ' after having preach- 
ed to others, himself might become a castaway.' By 
stated fasting, by constant watchfulness, by habitual 
temperance in all things, he kept the body in subjec- 
tion, and thereby increased his spirituality and power. 

" In nothing did he approach more nearly to an imi- 
tation of our Lord, than in his benevolence. It cannot 
be thought singular that he was courteous, and pitiful, 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 79 

and kind ; for all the ministers of the gospel ought to 
exemplify these virtues. But he relieved the necessi- 
ties of others, by making frequent sacrifices of his own 
personal comfort. We have known him give his only 
top coat in severe weather to one who had not a coat ; 
nor would he spare the garments of his beloved wife 
for the relief of persons in extreme distress. On another 
occasion, while visiting a sick man, who was in ex- 
treme want and lying in bed without a shirt, Mr. Bram- 
vvell retired into a private room, took off his own shirt, 
and gave it to the poor man. He was indeed a good 
Samaritan ; he considered every suffering child of Adam 
as his brother or his sister, as flesh of his flesh, and bone 
of his bone, whom Christ had loved unto death ; and 
therefore having a claim for his utmost efficient help. 
When there was any doubt in the case of applicants he 
would ascertain the reality and extent of suffering by 
personal investigation, and has administered to their 
wants, property, food, or medicine, with his counsel, 
sympathy, and prayers. Often has he been ' help in 
need/ a ministering angel of mercy both to the afflict- 
ed body, the broken spirit, and the despairing mind. 
When therefore he enforced the most difficult and least 
palatable duties of religion, the people did not inward- 
ly respond, * Physician, heal thyself/ 

" ' Thus by the space of three years he ceased not 
to warn every one, night and day, with tears, and to 
teach every man that he might present every man per- 
fect before God.' " 

Another valuable correspondent gives the subjoined 
account of those glorious days ! 

"When Mr. Bramwell was announced as the preach- 
er appointed for Sheffield, there was a degree of ex- 
pectation excited in the society, that the Lord would 
come and revive the work of divine grace by his in- 
strumentality. Mrs. Cooper had been very useful in 
the conversion of many individuals, and had provoked 
a spirit of prayer and exertion that had been blessed 
of God. Of the number of those that had been brought 
to God, was Mr. Edward Miller, and a few others, who 



80 MEMOIfc Of 

seemed prepared to enter into a revival, and to second 
it with all their powers. Mr. Bramwell was no sooner 
heard than the genuine power was experienced. A 
kind of electric sensation was felt in the whole society. 
Present effects were looked for, and present effects were 
received. The clearness of justification and sanctifi- 
cation were decidedly and constantly preached. A pre- 
sent enjoyment of both of them was so ardently press- 
ed, so unceasingly offered by faith, and faith alone, to 
be received, felt, and enjoyed now, — that the whole 
circuit seemed soon to catch the flame. Seventeen or 
eighteen hundred persons, in the two years, were joined 
to the society. Entire sanctification was pressed upon 
believers as their undoubted right. They were con- 
stantly pressed into the enjoyment of it, and numbers 
professed to enter into the possession of that state, and 
brought forth all its precious fruit. 

" From various parts of England people arrived to 
judge of the truth of this work. Many were strongly 
opposed to the mode in which it was carried on, and 
violently objected to it ; but they were so overcome by 
the spirit of the labourers and the effect of the revi- 
val, that they repeatedly acknowledged their full con- 
viction of its being a genuine and undoubted work of 
the Spirit of God. 

" Mr. BramwelFs labours were abundant. Possessed 
of a strong body and a powerful voice, he never seem- 
ed to be exhausted ; but unwearied in his work, he 
gave consistency and stability to the whole ! 

" At length a division took place in the society, and 
4 separated very friends.' Spirits the most united no 
longer associated together -, and individuals who had 
formerly been as brethren, viewed the acts of each 
other with aversion. 

" How must the lovers of Zion lament, that in every 
revival of God's work, there are certain evils intermix- 
ed, that seem to say, ' Thus far shall you go, and no 
farther V Well ! the time will come, when godliness 
in its power will prevail, when Jew and Gentile will 
unite, when the omnipotence of Jesus will win or blast 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. Si 

all his enemies, when he shall establish his kingdom, 
give victory to his saints, and reign over all for ever 
and for ever ! 'Amen! Amen! So come, Lord Jesus ! ? 
is the hope and cry of every true believer. 

" One of the most constant effects of Mr. Bramwell's 
residence in any place, was 'the spirit of prayer.' Such 
a general spirit of zealous prayer as he encouraged, 
was never experienced before in Methodism. Strong 
desires for the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, for 
the destruction of sin, for the advancement of holi- 
ness, and for the glory of the latter days, were felt and 
breathed out by numbers. They were answered by 
the Spirit of God, diffusing his own blessing and seal- 
ing the truth by his own power, so that the most san- 
guine hopes were entertained by the faithful, that 
great and glorious consequences would be produced, 
and would extend through the Christian and Heathen 
world. If these effects have not been so generally felt 
and so widely spread as some expected, — yet blessed 
have been the consequences : justification and sancti- 
fication by faith only, have been preached and expe- 
rienced to be the truth of God by the Spirit's divine 
application, 'sealing the believer to the day of redemp- 
tion,' and witnessing with his own divine testimony to 
the truth. 

"Mr. Bramwell preached a present and a full salva- 
tion through faith in the Redeemer's blood ; and thou- 
sands will have to praise God in eternity that ever they 
heard from his lips the sound of such a gospel. On 
the entire destruction of sin and the complete renewal 
of ttie heart in holiness, he preached decidedly : this 
was his constant, his favourite theme. To be cleansed 
from all sin, to be perfected in love, was the grand ob- 
ject of his preaching, and the constant experience of 
his heart. Never did he preach with more energy, 
never did a greater divine unction attend his word, 
than when he pressed the Christian, the Methodist 
doctrine of entire sanctification from all sin, the utter 
destruction of all inbred evil, and the restoration of 
the whole soul to the image of God ! In this Mr. 



82 MEMOIR OF 

Bramwell was faithful to God and to the Scriptures, 
and showed all good fidelity to the souls over whom he 
watched, and whom he wished to present perfect be- 
fore God, and cleansed from all unrighteousness! The 
author of this account knew, that Mr. Bramwell held 
this sentiment and felt this experience for twenty-three 
years before he died ; and he believes that he was never 
conscious of enjoying it more sensibly, and never ex- 
pressed himself on this subject more clearly, than a 
few days before he expired. 

(i A select band that met early in the morning, once 
a week, consisting of Messrs. Longden, Miller, Wil- 
kinson, Levick, and the itinerant preachers, was made 
an uncommon blessing. In that meeting the public 
and private conduct of every individual passed through 
a fiery ordeal. Their holiness in private, and their 
spirit and carriage in public, were severely and faith- 
fully scrutinized. They were guarded equally against 
intemperate, unchristian zeal, and against lukewarm 
formality. Their whole conduct underwent a severe 
examination, while they were excited to the most zeal- 
ous exertion, and cautioned against any excess which 
could not be warranted by the word of God. 

" The attempts of the enemy to defile the purity of 
the work, by bringing forward improper characters, 
mixing false fire with the true flame, or by disparaging 
the work in any other way, were most assiduously pre- 
vented. His stratagems were perceived, and his de- 
signs defeated. Never, perhaps, was there a work that 
could better withstand the opposition of the wicked, or 
calm the apprehensive fears of the faithful, than the re- 
vival at Sheffield. If its fruits were not spread through 
the world, we can only say the time is not yet come, 
when righteousness shall fill the globe, and the know- 
ledge of the Lord shall cover the whole earth. But 
these lively specimens animate the true believer ; they 
give a degree of assurance to his hopes ; they afford a 
ground of dependence on the truth of Almighty God ; 
and virtually announce, that ' the kingdoms of this 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 83 

world shall become the kingdoms of Christ,' and that 
he shall for ever reign with his saints." 

In the preceding extract, the reader will have no- 
ticed the slight allusion made to Mr. Killham's seces- 
sion from the parent connexion. Mr. Bramwell's feel- 
ings on that occasion, have been variously represented. 
But the best mode of forming a judgment of a man, is 
to hear how he unbosoms himself to his intimate friends. 
On this subject Mr. Bramwell's views will be correctly 
ascertained, by his expressions at the close of the fol- 
lowing letter. Unlike many warm souls at that period, 
" he lived above the division, and waited the event in 
peace." As a Christian minister, he accounted it in- 
decorous in him to " speak evil of any man." This 
letter, being the first of the series which is intended 
to be inserted in this work, is printed according to Mr. 
Bramwell's own method of punctuation. It will be per- 
ceived that he delighted in the frequent use of the dash, 
and employed it on all occasions. 



LETTER I. 

To Doctor Taft. 

" Sheffield, November 1st, 1797. 
"My Dear Brother, — I should have written to you 
immediately, but expected Messrs. Miller and Wilkin- 
son would have come to see you, as I had a promise 
from them. They are prevented at present by busi- 
ness. I rejoice in your union and prosperity. I bless 
the Lord for his goodness to the little flock. He cares 
for you — and will help you. — I trust your own soul 
prospers more and more. — There is a work for every 
day. — The Lord waits to impart more of his love, — 
and will give more to the hungry. — Oh my brother 
Taft ! give yourself to him in much prayer and faith, 
keep yourself as much as possible composed — let not 
little things dissipate your thoughts. — Be fixed in God. 
— The world will tempt and seek to draw you ; — but 



84 MEMOIR OF 

your work is for God — for heaven — for glory. — O run 
the race ! fight the battle ! conquer through the blood ! 
I believe you will receive the crown. If you are not 
called to preach — or exhort — or teach, you are called 
to live — to pray — to walk with God. — Fear not ! — sal- 
vation will come ! — Wait for all he has to give — 

Wait to prove his utmost will, 

And have your heaven about you still. 

" I am seeking the Lord every day. I am sure I 
grow in grace. — This is my- labour — to see God — and 
love him. — My union is stronger than when I was with 
you. — 1 have left all in his hands. — I have no care but 
to please him. — c I am dead — and my life is hid with 
Christ in God.' — I am more dependent than ever, — 
see myself more and more — and can only say, ' Yet 
not I, but Christ liveth in me.' — Oh the mind, the 
sweet mind of Christ ! May I follow the Lord every 
moment ! — I see the work deepen among his people ; 
and for some weeks have seen souls saved nearly every 
day, less or more. 

"I live above the division — and wait the event in 
peace. The will of God be done — not mine ! When 
all are humbled — we, I trust, shall shake hands — and 
all give glory to God. I feel much compassion — my 
bowels yearn for all men — and I can speak evil of 
none. — 

" I am your affectionate brother in Christ, 

<c Wm. Bramwell.'' 

These are the expressions of a mind filled with cha- 
rity, and desirous of peace. They display Mr. Bram- 
well's amiable character to advantage. He "felt much 
compassion," and his " bowels yearned for all men," 
even for those who had separated from communion 
with him. Some of his more zealous friends, who 
manifested much displeasure on this occasion, expect- 
ed him to be as warm as themselves. But he remem- 
bered, that " the servant of the Lord must not strive, 
but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in 
meekness instructing those that oppose themselves ; if 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 85" 

God peradventure will give them repentance to the ac- 
knowledging of the truth; and that they may recover 
themselves out of the snare of the devil." 

Mr. Bramwell's zeal for the Lord of hosts, his utter 
indifference to mere secular concerns, and his well tried 
prudence, engaged the affections of the people, and 
caused the conference of 1797 to honour him by a 
third year's appointment. His colleagues were Mr. 
James Wood and Mr. Pipe, men who enjoyed his con- 
fidence, and with whom he became very closely united. 
Under their skilful administration, the society was kept 
in a state of comparative tranquillity, amidst much out- 
ward perplexity and many incentives to disquietude. 
The work of conversion and sanctification did not 
cease ; but the walls of Jerusalem continued to be 
built, even in those troublous times. 

Mr. George Smith was that year stationed at Ash by 
de la Zouch, and had heard wonderful things about 
the revival at Sheffield. Having been long in search of 
the blessing of sanctification, he resolved to go to the 
place where it was reported many others had received 
it. He accordingly set out for Sheffield in company 
with Messrs. Crawson, Shakespeare, and Keecher. — 
They arrived early on Saturday, and repaired in the 
evening to the band meeting, in Norfolk street cha- 
pel. Messrs. Bramwell 3 Pipe, Longden, and Miller, 
were present : and while they and other able witnesses 
gave a clear and scriptural account of the manner in 
which they received the gift of sanctification, the stran- 
gers, (Mr. G. Smith and his friends,) were much af- 
fected. Mr. Miller perceived it ; and going up to Mr. 
Smith, inquired who he was. When he had been told, 
he said, " Here is a travelling preacher, who is come 
to Sheffield, and has brought three of his friends with 
him, above seventy miles, for the purpose of receiving 
' a clean heart.' " He exhorted all the faithful to lift 
up their hearts in behalf of these earnest and sin- 
cere seekers. They began to pray for them; when 
Mr. Smith was so overwhelmed with the power of the 
Highest, as instantly to " enter into the sanctifying 
8 



86 MEMOIR OF 

rest, which remains for the people of God." He then 
adopted the advice which our Lord gave on a different 
occasion to Peter — " And thou, when thou art convert- 
ed, strengthen thy brethren." He united in prayer for 
those whom he had brought with him ; and while in the 
act of entreating " the very God of peace to sanctify 
them wholly," and that their whole spirit, and soul, and 
body, might be preserved blameless unto the coming of 
our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord spake the word, and 
they were made partakers of the blessing. " Being 
cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, they 
were enabled to perfect holiness in the fear of God." 
On returning homewards, ** their hearts burned within 
them while they talked" of this great salvation. Two 
of them (Messrs. Shakespeare and Crawson,) died in 
the following year, enjoying all the glorious fruits of 
this sanctification. The other two are yet living, and 
" stand fast in the same liberty wherewith Christ had 
made them free." 

Mr. Parker, of Woodhouse Grove, makes the fol- 
lowing remarks on Mr. BramwelPs character and con- 
duct : — 

" My acquaintance with Mr. Bramwell was occasion- 
ed by my removal, about May, 1798, to Sheffield, where 
he had then been above two years stationed. At that 
time there was a remarkable revival, of the extent of 
which some judgment may be formed when it is ob- 
served, that at a single love feast about one hundred 
persons were convinced of the necessity of ' working 
out their own salvation with fear and trembling.' Dur- 
ing the continuance of this extraordinary enlargement 
of the work of grace, Mr. BramwelPs instrumentality 
was so singularly blessed of Him whose peculiar pro- 
vince it is to give the increase, that I cannot deem it 
irrelevant to enlarge on a topic that proved to be high- 
ly interesting and profitable to thousands, and in which 
Mr. Bramwell himself was eminently concerned. In 
addition to many others, amongst whom are two per- 
sons since called to the itinerant ministry, I was myself 
an eye and ear witness of those glorious seasons which 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 87 

will remain deeply imprinted on my recollection to the 
latest period of my existence. We might on this sub- 
ject truly say, ' that which we have heard, which we 
have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, 
and our hands have handled, declare we unto you.' — 
Certainly if ever I knew or experienced pentecostal 
seasons, (those gracious and abundant manifestations 
of the Spirit which no language can describe,) it was 
at that time, when, if not thousands, at least hundreds, 
were added to the church ; many of them, I doubt not, 
such as shall be eternally saved. The arrows of con- 
viction fastened on many ; conscience did its office ; 
the sword of the Spirit pierced * between the joints 
and the harness ;' Gallios became serious : and before 
the presence of Jehovah, the stout-hearted bowed the 
stubborn knee, and rocks of impenitence flowed into 
streams of penitential sorrow. 

11 The angels of God, we are informed, rejoice over 
one sinner that repenteth ; but here they had to rejoice 
over hundreds. And they were assuredly there, rejoic- 
ing in our midst. Many besides myself will never for- 
get the day when that hymn was sung at Garden-street 
chapel, which begins with 

Angels now are hovering o'er us, 

Unperceived they mix the throng, &c. 

For if ever I was conscious (as far as a human spirit can 
be,) of the presence of supernatural powers, that was 
the time. Many felt and possessed unutterable things. 
It seemed that there was but a thin veil between us 
and the invisible world, and that Satan, for a season, 
was bound in chains, and the church militant ad- 
mitted into the presence chamber of the Majesty on 
high. The strong holds of Satan fell, like Dagon be- 
fore the ark. Many were pressing through the strait 
gate, into that kingdom which is 'righteousness, peace, 
and joy in the Holy Ghost.' And it was as though an- 
gels themselves attended to write the names of believ- 
ers in the Lamb's book of life. But whether angels 



S8 MEMOIR OF 

were there or not, of one thing I am persuaded, that 

heaven was there ; for 

My Jesus to know, 
And feel his blood flow, 
Tis life everlasting, 'tis heaven below. 

(i How often was the large floor of Norfolk-street cha- 
pel to be seen clustered over with little groups around 
a wrestling Jacob ! and when he halted a little on his 
thigh, how ready were many to administer the word of 
consolation, how ready to join in prayer that shook the 
pillars of hell, and opened the gates of heaven ! 

" That Mr. Bramwell was in an eminent degree a 
man of prayer, I have been frequently assured by my 
own personal observation. Seldom have I called upon 
him, but it was easy to perceive, from the devotion 
which he breathed, and the heavenly mindedness which 
marked his manner and conversation, that * he had 
been with Jesus.' 

" It has been my lot to mark Mr. BramwelPs very 
exemplary conduct in the social circle. And in this 
respect, I must affirm that I never met with his equal. 
His conversation was eminently such as ' tended to 
minister grace to his hearers.' It was his aim in com- 
pany, to direct his conversation and that of his friends 
to one point, — and that was a present and a full sal- 
vation. Throughout the whole, he maintained the most 
jealous and vigilant eye lest the discourse should in the 
least diverge towards topics not equally definite and im- 
portant. Nor was he contented with this : it was not 
long before this man of God, and the company with 
whom he was engaged, fell on their knees and wrestled 
in prayer, till 

The op'ning heavens around them shone 
With beams of sacred bliss. 

" One particular instance of this, I will here relate : 
In consequence of being at the London conference in 
1804, I frequently met with Mr. Bramwell. On one 
occasion, he desired me to meet him in the afternoon, 
at a friend's house in the city. On entering the house, 
the voice of devotion saluted my ear. Mr. Bramwell 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 89 

and the rest of his friends engaged successively in fer- 
vent social prayer. At tea, he ruled the conversation, 
so that not a sentence concerning politics, the common 
topics of the day, the foibles of the neighbourhood, or 
any indifferent subject was permitted to transpire. The 
attention of the company was directed exclusively to 
the great concerns of their present and eternal, salva- 
tion. It was not long before a person present advanc- 
ed something irrelevant to the single aim which this 
man of God held so tenaciously in view; but he sup- 
pressed it immediately by exclaiming, ' Now we are 
wandering from the point again !' After conversation 
on the best subjects had continued for some time, the 
company again joined in fervent prayer until the preach- 
ing hour arrived, and importunately pleaded for the 
realization of the great blessings which had occupied 
their attention. 

i( I am particular about the mention of this trait in 
Mr. Bramwell, because, (in common with many who 
profess the influence of the fear and love of God,) I 
have experienced great difficulty in ordering a conver- 
sation aright, so that each person might be enabled to 
say, at the close of an interview, that he had imbibed 
a greater aversion to sin, and a more ardent thirst after 
holiness. When this is not the result, have we ^iot 
reason to fear that either we, or the persons with whom 
we have conversed, are in some degree fallen from our 
first love, — from the life, the power, and the pleasures 
of godliness ? It is truly lamentable to notice the great 
degeneracy that prevails in the conversation of those 
who are only nominally religious in the present day. 
Some are content to while away every golden hour with 
subjects of a mere worldly nature. Some have out- 
ridden every profitable purpose to which the legitimate 
use of anecdotes can be applied, and hale in a num- 
ber of tales of a facetious or ludicrous nature, the only 
end of which is to excite merriment and levity. These 
are far worse than the ' old wives' fables' against which 
St. Paul warns Timothy. But, says Cowper, 

< 'Tis pitiful to court a grin, 
When you should woo a soul.' 
8* 



90 MEMOIR OF 

" Those who go about to destroy the souls of others 
and their own, by their rage for telling anecdotes, do 
not generally let the bare recital suffice. To secure 
their pitiful and ignoble end, and to give effect to their 
stories, they do not hesitate to give what is called ' a 
little additional colouring ;' and in this way both truth 
and modesty are too often sacrificed. The politeness 
of the liearer obliges him to digest the lies and indeli- 
cacies at which his sober judgment recoils ; ( while de- 
mons laugh unseen, at fools that ape the faults of human 
kind.' In the hearing of such persons a serious sub- 
ject can scarcely be mentioned, but with impertinent 
levity they endeavour to turn it into ridicule. This the 
world calls ' wit ;' and the miserable buffoon who utters 
it passes for ; an agreeable companion.' But does not 
such an unhappy qualification prove him to be one of 
the agents of the nether region, a bird of the way-side 
to pluck up the tender seed out of the hearts of the sin- 
cere and simple, and a tool of Satan to efface every 
good impression ? 

" Christianity, be it observed, does not exclude cheer- 
fulness. Christian cheerfulness consists in that serene 
and tranquil peace, that hope blooming full of immor- 
tality, that sacred joy in the Holy Ghost, which 
Lays the rough paths of peevish nature even, 
And opens in each breast a little heaven. 

" I may be censured for this long digression from the 
history of Mr. Bramwell. But it appears to me, that 
the most advantageous purpose achieved by the bio- 
graphic page, is that of pointing out in what respects 
the works of good men may be said to follow them with 
profit to survivors. Perhaps one of the most lively and 
impressive comments, that we can possibly receive from 
man on that prescriptive code, the Bible, is the illus- 
tration of its doctrines, the fulfilment of its promises, 
and the exemplification of its obligations, as displayed 
either in the living characters, or by the biographic 
record. Considered in this light, rny digression may, 
I think, be justified. 

" I shall beg leave here to mention a circumstance 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 91 

which occurred in Sheffield, and which is consistent 
with this feature in Mr. Bramwell's character. In con- 
sequence of certain persons in the principal street exhi- 
biting at their shop windows prints and caricatures, 
many of which were of a. ludicrous or an indelicate 
description, Mr. Bramwell warned his congregations 
of the evil and impropriety of allowing the mind to be 
diverted or corrupted by imagery of this kind. He 
blamed serious persons for stopping a moment to view 
such prints; and told them, that when he found a print 
of this sort hung up in a friendV house, he did not for- 
get to give him a suitable reproof by turning the front 
of it to the wall.* 

" The life and zeal which shone in Mr. Bramwell, 
kept him at the utmost distance from formality. Instead 
of being content during divine service, with the ordi- 
nary routine of singing and praying once before and 
once after the sermon, after having prayed at the close 
of preaching, he usually called on two or three per- 
sons to unite with him in supplication. At other times, 
whilst he was yet on his knees, and in the midst of 
his prayer, he would break forth into singing, in which 
he was immediately joined by the congregation. To 
me it appeared singularly solemn to see a whole con- 
gregation and their preacher singing in that suppliant 
posture. By such methods as these, the resolutions 

* I cannot omit to relate a custom which I have ever admired 
in the late Bible Christian, the Rev. Mr. Rutherford. The 
daughters of that pious minister had from time to time wrought 
in needlework a variety of very important and apposite texts of 
Scripture, illustrative of its leading doctrines : Except two or 
three portraits of pious men, these were the only pictures that 
ornamented the walls of his dwelling. Whenever a stranger 
was admitted, or kept a few moments in waiting till Mr. R. 
could attend to him, there was scarcely a point of the parlour 
wall that did not preach to him a wholesome biblical lecture. I 
once turned for a moment to one of these silent monitors, and 
read, " Lean not to thine own understanding ■; but in all thy ways 
acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths." This truth 
has, more or less, followed me ever since. I have found in it 
the cause of many of the mistakes which 1 have made in life, 
and the rule by observing which I might have avoided a thou- 
sand sorrows. 



I 
92 MEMOIR OP 

and impressions produced by the sermon were render* 
ed, in many cases, much more effectual. 

" From these several circumstances, therefore, we 
cannot wonder that it pleased the great Head of the 
Church to crown Mr. BramwelFs ministry with an 
abundant blessing. The writer of these lines is spe- 
cially entitled to indulge in this sentiment: for, after 
a season of the deepest sorrow, as Mr. Bramwell was 
preaching at Norfolk-street chapel, the Lord was pleas- 
ed to whisper peace to him who makes this communi- 
cation. From that time c the powers of the world to 
come' shone brighter and brighter, till he was enabled 
to witness, with full assurance, (yea, if needful, before 
assembled worlds,) that he ' had not followed cunning- 
ly devised fables. 5 He could then c rejoice with joy 
unspeakable and full of glory.' But he was not a soli- 
tary instance ; for it was then by no means uncommon 
for those who had been present at such seasons of re- 
freshment, to return home with the joyful tidings that 
many were born in Zion, without being able accurate- 
ly to number those who were brought into that glorious 
liberty. While some were able to witness (by the Spi- 
rit of adoption, crying, 'Jlbba, Father I 1 ) that God for 
Christ's sake had blotted out as a thick cloud their 
transgressions, others were constrained to testify that 
God had not only \ power on earth to forgive sins,' but 
to ' cleanse them from all unrighteousness/ and to 
make them 6 meet for an inheritance with the saints in 
light/ " 

His respected colleague, Mr. Pipe, bears the follow- 
ing testimony to his piety and usefulness : 

" In 1795 my lot was cast in the Bradford circuit, 
Yorkshire ; and Mr. Bramwell having been stationed 
the two preceding years in the adjoining circuit, I had 
frequent opportunities of hearing the experience of 
those who had been benefitted by his ministry. His 
zealous endeavours to promote a spirit of piety among 
the different societies, his powerful praying and wrest- 
ling with God early and late, and his invariable aim to 
induce believers to ' perfect holiness in the fear of the 



MR. VV. BRAMWELL. 93 

Lord/ caused him to be greatly noticed, and drew many 
to hear him from the neighbouring circuits. These 
caught the flame ; and prayer meetings and watch nights 
were more strictly observed, and the work of God pros- 
pered in many places. 

u Thus was he blessed to many in those parts of 
Yorkshire ; but much more so afterwards in the Shef- 
field circuit. The. Lord had greatly refreshed his heri- 
tage, before he had received that appointment ; but it 
might be said of him, as of Barnabas, that ' when he 
came and had seen the grace of God, he was glad and 
exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they would 
cleave unto the Lord ; for he was a good man and full 
of the Holy Ghost, and of faith ; and much people was 
added unto the Lord : for he helped them much which 
had believed through grace.' " 

The pious and composed state of his mind, during 
this great work of God, is clearly shown in the subjoin- 
ed letters : — 

LETTER II. 
To Mr. George Marsden. 

" Sheffield, 1795. 

* * * * * 

" The Lord has begun to work among you. I pray 
that nothing may hinder. Go on your way using every 
prudent means. Speak evil of no man ; neither be dis- 
couraged by any. Preach a present salvation, and pray 
for present blessings ; the Lord always prospered this 
plan. Preach sanctification as a blessing now to be 
received by faith. 

" On the day appointed for thanksgiving, the work 
broke out here in our chapel, at the evening meeting. 
Many souls had been previously set at liberty in the 
classes, and at the prayer meetings ; but on that night 
there was a general outpouring of the Spirit. We de- 
sired all in distress to come into the vestry, when eight 
souls were delivered from the bondage of sin. Eight 
more received pardon on the Sunday, Monday was 



94 MEMOIR OF 

our love feast ; and near the close of it the power of 
God came upon us. We concluded at the usual time, 
but begged of all in distress to stay, and before eight 
o'clock it appeared to many good men, that more than 
twenty souls were delivered : the work has gone for- 
ward every day since, less or more. In two classes 
more than twenty experienced salvation. I have had 
clear evidence, and, to speak within bounds, I am per- 
suaded, of more than one hundred persons having found 
liberty in three weeks. O pray for us that nothing 
may hinder ! The Lord be with us all in this great 
work!" 

In another letter he refers to the society in Liverpool, 
and says, 

" My prayer is, that you may yet see much greater 
things before you leave them ! May that precious soci- 
ety revive and increase with the increase of God ! The 
salvation of souls is the glory of the ministry. Shall 
we see the glory spread, or depart ? May we hope for 
the former ! and in our little way be willing to die, to 
see the life ! The kingdom will yet come, but, I am 
led to believe, not in my time. However, I know I 
am drinking much deeper into its spirit : and, in pray- 
ing without ceasing I shall receive the fulness of God. 
I am more than ever ashamed of unbelief. — O how it 
dishonours God and his truth ! All is ours, and we shall 
receive all." 

In a third letter he says, 

" I have always union with God. I feel nothing but 
pure love in thfc greatest afflictions. I am often power- 
fully tempted, and sometimes heavy ; — this was in our 
Lord. I feel I am going on. I have a continual open- 
ing between God and my soul, in prayer, love, and grati- 
tude. I have a constant heaven in dependence upon 
the Lord. I feel weaker than ever, and God my all, 
Amen !" 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 95 



LETTER III. 
To J\tr. Hargreaves, 

" Sheffield, June 30, 1796. 

" Dear Brother, 

* # # # * 

•' A good work is still going on here, and many 
precious souls receive salvation. I am very desirous of 
more of the image of God, and do find some little in- 
crease. I often think of the example of St. Paul, but 
more of Jesus Christ. I believe it is our place to walk 
as he walked. I see that the world is in a miserable 
state ; none truly at peace but they who leave all and 
follow him. Christ hath done all in point of merit, — 
but we must ' ask and receive, that our joy may be 
full.' I see more than ever, that those who are given 
up to God in continual prayer, are men of business both 
for earth and heaven ; they go through the world with 
composure, are resigned to every cross, and make the 
greatest glory of the greatest cross. On the other 
hand, if not given up to God in prayer, every cross 
brings the greatest perplexity, and robs them of the 
little love and patience they enjoy. To be all alive to 
God is (as it were) two heavens ; to be unstable, and 
not a whole Christian, is two hells. Oh my brother, I 
hope you and your house will serve the Lord ! I would 
advise you to consider the great privilege of the gospel ; 
and even beg, yea, beg with tears, that your house 
may be consecrated to God through the preaching of 
the word and much prayer, and by having God's serv- 
ants under your roof. Remember the house of ' Obed- 
edom. 5 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell.' 3 

A respected friend has kindly transmitted the sub- 
joined account : 

" Mr. BramwelPs method of preaching had conside- 
rable variety in it. Though he accounted it the Alpha 



96 MEMOIR OF 

and Omega of his ministry to alarm sinners in the 
midst of their carnal security, and ' to instruct believ- 
ers in righteousness, that the man of God might be 
perfect,' (and in each of these momentous departments 
he was equally excellent,) yet, in carrying his intentions 
into effect, he often introduced some agreeable mode 
of illustration, especially among the poor people in 
country places. 

" I remember to have heard him preach an excellent 
sermon from Micah iv, 13, ' Arise and thrash, O daugh- 
ter of Zion ! For I will make thine horn iron, and I 
will make thy hoofs brass : and thou shalt beat in 
pieces many people : and I will consecrate their gain 
unto the Lord, and their substance unto the Lord, of 
the whole earth.' In an easy and familiar style he ex- 
plained his text, by informing the good people that corn 
was thrashed out, among the oriental nations, by means 
of oxen or horses, which were driven round an area, 
filled with loose sheaves, and by their continued tramp- 
ling the corn was separated from the straw. That this 
might be done the more effectually, the text promised 
an addition to the natural horny substance on the feet 
of these animals, by ' making their horn iron and their 
hoofs brass.' c In this way,' he said, ' corn is not thrash- 
ed in England ; but it is among us usually beaten out 
by a flail ; and, as I am preaching to Englishmen, I 
conceive that I am doing no injury to the sentiments 
in my text by changing a few of the terms into those 
which are to you the most familiar.' He then showed 
how the whole portrayed gospel times ; and that, though 
in a more restricted sense it applied to ministers of the 
gospel, yet it had a direct reference to the duty of all 
God's people, who were commanded to ' arise and 
thrash,' and whose privilege it was to come to him that 
alone was able to qualify them for their labour. In 
' making their horn iron, and their hoofs brass,' the 
Lord was desirous of imparting stability and perpetuity 
to his own divine work, by granting supernatural aid 
to the faithful, that they might perform for him those 
services to which their own feeble and unassisted pow- 



MR. W. BR AM WELL. 97 

ers were totally inadequate. 'Besides/ he added, c it 
is encouraging for the saints to know, that they are 
provided with weapons both offensive and defensive. 
The thrashing instrument is of the former description ; 
at is of the same quality as that which is said to be 
<c quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged 
sword." For this purpose the Son of God was mani- 
fested, that he might destroy the works of the devil ; 
and this is one of the weapons which he employs, in 
the hands of his people, to carry his gracious designs 
into execution. With this, it is promised, they " shall 
beat in pieces many people." ' 

" In the course of his sermon, he related, in the me- 
taphorical style which his text sanctioned, many recent 
and remarkable instances of the successful application 
of the gospel flail. c A few days ago/ said he, ' a zeal- 
ous man, small of stature, went to a neighbouring town, # 
and, in a most loving spirit, with this implement began 
to thrash an assembly of ungodly men. w.hbtk he had 
finished his work, it was found that he had thrashed 
the devil out of more than forty persons. And with 
the help of God, I am resolved, O sinner, to try what 
effects the smart strokes of this thrashing instrument 
will produce on thy unhumbled soul !' 

" He proceeded to exhort his hearers with considera- 
ble ability, to assail sin wherever it appeared. c Attack 
it courageously with this powerful flail, which is some- 
times called "the sword of the Spirit/' and is, in re- 
ality, " the word of God." Such a weapon may seem 
contemptible in the eyes of the natural man ; yet, when 
it is properly wielded, its consequences are invariably 
potent and salutary. I have known it, in the hands of 
a feeble woman, bring her husband to " his right mind." 
In making trial of its efficacy, even little children have 
caused their parents to cry aloud for mercy. But in 
every case, much of its heavenly charm and virtue de- 

* This was spoken in allusion to Mr. Joseph Oakes, at that 
time a very useful local preacher in the Sheffield circuit, and 
who had a few days before been preaching at Thorpe, when 
many souls were convinced of sin and found peace with God> 

9 



98 MEMOIR OF 

pends on the mode in which it is applied. It should 
always be lifted up in a kind and loving spirit.' 

" I highly approved of the ingenious turn which he 
gave to this scriptural metaphor ; and his bold and 
energetic language was most edifying. If he had spok- 
en in this way only before the faithful, all would have 
been well. But this free discourse was delivered in my 
native village ; and I knew that many people of frivo- 
lous minds, and others who were confirmed scoffers, 
attended our meetings for the sole purpose of carrying 
away every thing which they could turn into ridicule. 
I therefore trembled while Mr. Bramwell was preach- 
ing, lest the uncommon remarks which he made, should 
become food for scorners, and furnish a fund of laugh- 
ter for their wicked companions. But my apprehen- 
sions at once subsided, when, at the close of his ad- 
dress, he made a sudden pause, and said with a grave 
countenance, and in a tone of voice the most solemn 
and impressive, — • If any person go from this place and 
attempt to scoff at the word of truth which he has 
heard, or the use which I have made of it, — in the 
name of God I here charge that person to answer at 
the peril of his soul, for such an act of profanation, be- 
fore the bar of the great Judge of quick and dead!' 
This warning was well-timed, and the effects of it most 
surprising. For though in that place, as in other vil- 
lages, some few persons monopolize the office of buffoon- 
general, and prostitute their talents to the low arts of 
foolish jesting ; yet neither they, nor any one else ven- 
tured tor make the least unfavourable allusion to this 
very singular discourse : thus 

Truth from his lips prevail'd with double sway, 
And fools, who came to scoff, remain'd to pray. 

" Mr. Bramwell at all times showed himself greatly 
attached to the Methodist discipline. Every breach in 
it caused him as much pain, as the strict observance of 
it afforded him pleasure. It was therefore with much 
regret he saw some characters of the greatest promise 
forfeit their share in the benefits of church fellowship, 
by forming such matrimonial alliances as were contrary 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 99 

to the word of God, and in opposition to the rules or 
Methodism. Whenever he found any young men or 
women exposed to this fascinating snare, he faithfully 
described the heinousness of the offence, and affection- 
ately warned them of the danger into which they were 
running. In relation to this subject, he has sometimes 
mentioned the following affecting occurrence : 

"A young gentleman who was a stranger to religion, 
paid his addresses to a young lady of great piety. She 
consulted Mr. Bramwell and other religious friends, all 
of whom dissuaded her from giving the least counte- 
nance to such a connexion. She was shown that no 
felicitous union could be expected in opposition to the 
plainest commands of Heaven, as they are expressed 
in Scripture. Her reason approved of their arguments ; 
but the youth, in making his advances, exhibited won- 
derful attractions, the influence of which her vanity 
would not allow her to resist. He often assured her, 
that, instead of objecting to her religious principles, 
they heightened her charms in his eyes, and he loved 
her the more on account of them. When it is farther 
stated, that he plausibly intimated how her bright ex- 
ample would allure him to the practice of all her vir- 
tuous observances, — it is scarcely needful to add, that 
he succeeded in his purpose, and she gave him her 
hand. To save appearances, he attended her to pub- 
lic worship on the sabbath, a few times after their mar- 
riage. But alas ! too soon he threw 7 aside this mask of 
duplicity ; and proceeded from one act of hostility to 
another, till at length, with all the malicious and pre- 
meditated cruelty of an assassin, he made a desperate 
attempt on her life ! — How strongly do facts like this 
1 enforce the scriptural exhortation, i Be not unequally 
yoked with unbelievers !' M 

The following letters, addressed to a young lady at 
Dewsbury, exhibit Mr. BramwelPs strong affection for 
his spiritual children, and the judicious manner in which 
he tendered them his counsel : 



100 MEMOIR OF 



LETTER IV= 

To Miss Parker, 

"Sheffield, March 3, 1796. 
cC My Dear Sister,— I am glad that you continue 
-in the faith ; from which I hope nothing will ever be 
able to move you. — You know the benefit of loving God 
with all your heart ; and e I have no greater joy than 
to hear that my children walk in the truth.' Oh, dear 
sister, be a spirit entirely devoted to God ! Pray con- 
tinually ! A greater glory will come upon you. You 
cannot tell what you may receive ; but ask in constant 
faith. 

"Let all your life be Christ's. — Consider what he 
hath done for you, in bringing you into the present 
light. Thousands have desired to see these things, 
but have not been permitted. Oh ! be thankful, al- 
ways thankful ! This will improve your mind, and 
prepare it for the receiving of every other blessing. 
" I am, with much respect, 

" Your servant in Christ, 

" Wm. Br am well, 

« p. s. — Can you plead more with God ? Can you 
love God more 1 Can you have greater union with 
him ? You may have all these with great increase. 1 
want you to continue a burning, as well as a shining 
light. — I do not see but you may be as useful as Nanny 
Cutler if you give all to God." 



LETTER V. 

To the same. 

« Sheffield, August 21, 1796/ 
tf My Dear Child, — I am truly happy to find you 
walking in the truth. I greatly long to see you, and 
hope that the Lord will make your way plain. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 101 

M You will, I believe, receive a greater fulness ; and 
I think you are very near a more intimate union with 
God. — But, keep your evidence clear for sanctifica- 
tion : — Wrestle with God for this ; — and when clear, be 
on stretch for all the fulness. This will be the means 
of holding fast all that you receive. I want you to 
live near to God, and in all the sweet mind of Christ. 
If you give yourself to the Lord every day, in sweet 
covenant, and lie always in his hands, He, I know, 
will make all outward things plain to you. But when 
we exercise in the least our own will, we are never 
safe, but liable to every error, and to many evils. You 
shall see great things even in your life ; only be faith- 
ful in every little act for God. He will make you ruler 
over many things. 

" Several families have turned to God in Sheffield 
lately ; some of them are of the most respectable class. 
I wonder at the Lord's goodness. The work is still 
going on. — May God, who hath made you and me of 
the same mind and disposition, give his great blessing 
to Dewsbury this year ! Now may the God of peace, 
who gives peace to his church, give us all peace and 
love ! May the blessed work go on in every place, till 
this nation is overspread with the glory of God ! Oh, 
pray, pray ! and the Lord will answer. 
" I am, with much respect, 

" Your servant in Christ, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

In the preceding part of this memoir, the reader will 
have perceived how deeply Mr. Bramwell was con- 
I cerned for the enlargement of the Redeemer's king- 
] dom. If souls were saved, it occupied little of his con- 
cern to know who were the instruments employed by 
the Almighty. However feeble the means might be, 
he was anxious that all the glory might redound to the 
Giver of all good. With these views, he greatly re- 
joiced to hear of the usefulness of Miss Mary Barrett, 
a pious female of Colne, who had begun to exhort in 
public, and had been rendered a great blessing. 
9* 



102 MEMOIR OF 

Many eminent divines have entertained discord&nl 
opinions respecting female preaching. Mr. Bramwell 
thought that, in the accomplishment of the great work 
of human redemption, the Almighty had a sovereign 
right to make his own election of instruments. To 
question the validity of any one's call whose labours 
were clearly sanctioned by the broad seal of Heaven f 
appeared, in his eyes, a most unwarrantable act of pre- 
sumption. 

It is well known that female preachers are not pecu- 
liar to Methodism. They have been recognised as ac- 
credited teachers by the Quakers from the beginning, 
It is probable, that, on this subject, Mr. Bramwell's 
sentiments were much in unison with those of the re- 
spectable society of Friends. He regarded Joel's pro- 
phecy as containing an obvious reference to the gospel 
dispensation. In this view it was quoted by the apostle 
Peter on the day of pentecost : " And it shall come to 
pass in the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spi- 
rit upon all flesh : And your sons and your daughters shall 
prophesy ; and your young men shall see visions, and 
your old men shall dream dreams : And on my servants 
and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days 
of my Spirit ; and they shall prophesy." A few women 
of great piety were accustomed at an early period in 
the history of Methodism, publicly to warn sinners to 
flee from the wrath to come. They took up this cross f 
because they considered it a duty ; and in bearing a tes- 
timony for Christ, they were sometimes called to suffer 
persecution. Their previous attainments and experi- 
ence, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, qualified 
them for this weighty undertaking ; and their pious exer- 
tions were greatly blessed in the Lord. Among these 
ancient female worthies, was the late Miss Bosanquet, 
(afterwards Mrs. Fletcher,) who frequently engaged in 
this interesting employment. Some persons had ex- 
pressed a degree of surprise at her continuing occa- 
sionally to address a congregation. It was her desire 
to Ci abstain from all appearance of evil/' and to do no- 
thing by which a weak brother might bo offended, She 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 103 

therefore wrote to that "great man in Israel," the Rev, 
John Wesley, stated her case, and received from him 
the following reply : 



To Miss Bosanquet. 

" Londonderry, June 13, 1771. 
Ci My Dear Sister, — I think the strength of the 
cause rests there, — in your having an extraordinary 
call. So I am persuaded, has every one of our lay 
preachers : otherwise I could not countenance their 
preaching at all. It is plain to me that the whole work 
of God termed Methodism, is an extraordinary dispen- 
sation of his providence. Therefore I do not wonder 
if several things occur therein, which do not fall under 
ordinary rules of discipline. St. Paul's ordinary rule 
of discipline was, ' I permit not a woman to speak in 
the congregation ;' yet, in extraordinary cases, he made 
a few exceptions ; at Corinth in particular. 
"I am, my dear sister, 

" Your affectionate brother, 

"J. Wesley.' ' 

Similar to these were Mr. Bramwell's views. He 
considered that Miss Barrett had " an extraordinary 
call," and to him she appeared to be divinely qualified 
for the work. She had received a good education and 
possessed great strength of understanding ; she was dis- 
tinguished for the depth of her piety and the fervency 
of her zeal, and her labours in public were very suc- 
cessful. He therefore gave her every encouragement 
to proceed in the path in which, by the blessing of God. 
she had been rendered useful in her own confined neigh- 
bourhood, and thought her called by Divine providence 
to move in a more extensive circle. Many persons, in 
different parts of the kingdom, will have reason to bless 
God that they were favoured with the privilege of hear- 
ing from her lips the joyful sound of the gospel. With 
the subjoined letter to her we will close this chapter, 



104 MEMOIR or 



LETTER VI. 
To Miss Barrett. 

" Sheffield, Saturday, 
"My Dear Sister in Christ,— I live in much 
peace and love ; but for a season am not able to declare 
it. I have seen his arm made bare lately; but was 
forced to stop. I thank the Lord, he is with you 
May a greater power rest upon you and upon the peo- 
ple ! Your work is great ; and the Lord can work with 
yon. 

" I had a blessed time with Mr. Blagborne. He 
wanted much to see you. God is with him. I hope 
you will pray for us more and more. Sister Rhodes is 
come ; but she wants lifting up. 

" I should hold a love feast at Mansfield next Mon« 
day. Is it possible that you can go in my place ? I beg 
that you will return me an answer by the bearer. It is 
about twelve miles from Chesterfield. I shall not rest^ 
unless I can have a proper supply. I beg you will give 
my love to all friends. I long to see them. 
" I am yours, &c, 

u Wm. Bramwell," 



CHAPTER IX. 

Mr. Bram well's removal to the Nottingham circuit — Unsettled 
state of the society in that place — Great exertions to procure 
a place of worship — Remarkable answers to prayer — Letters 
—Anecdotes — His conduct as a Superintendent. 

Nottingham was the next scene of Mr. Bram well's 
labours. The conference of 1798 appointed him to 
that circuit. A great number of our members had 
joined the new connexion ; and those who remained 
were in a very unsettled state As Mr. Bramwell was 
much esteemed, it was thought that his labours might 
prove peculiarly beneficial, and tend to heal the wounds 
which the church had received. The trustees of our 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 105 

large chapel in Nottingham had given it up to Mr, 
Kilham. Our preachers, therefore, were obliged to 
officiate in private houses and barns, or such other 
places as they could procure for the purpose. This was 
very embarrassing, and caused many painful feelings 
to the preachers ; but to Mr. Brain well, who was leav- 
ing a circuit where all was harmony and love, these 
things must have been peculiarly distressing. He en- 
tered, however, upon his new station with a fixed 
resolution not to engage in any controversy respecting 
the division, but to do every thing in his power to 
build up the broken walls of Zion, and to bring souls 
to Christ. 

The following letter, written soon after his entrance 
into the circuit, will show what were the leading ob- 
jects of his attention. 



LETTER VII. 

To Miss Barrett. 

" Nottingham, September 22, 1798. 

:t My Dear Sister in the Lord, — I was sorry to 
hear of your sudden call. I hope your mind is kept 
composed. God hath given ; he will take away when 
it pleaseth him. Our fathers and our mothers are His, 
Oh for submission to his blessed will in all things ! This 
shows how uncertain we are in this world. 

" I pray more ; and will still cry, ' Lord make us meet 
for thy glory V Every moment may we live to him, and 
him alone! I am giving myself to continual prayer. 
What will be the answer, I cannot tell ; but shall wait 
to see his glory in the blessed Jesus. He is our all, 
and must bring all we need. 

u I found things flat in Nottingham. Building cha- 
pels are hard times. Almost in every country place I 
have seen the Lord work ; and I do hope to see greater 
things than these. 

" We all expect you immediately when you are set 
free. The Lord bring you soon, that you may cast 



106 MEMOIR OF 

your net into this deep sea of iniquity, and bring to 
land a few souls for his glory ! I long to show the world 
his blood, and then to stand before the throne of God. 
I pray that you, and every soul that speaks for the 
Lord, may cry in every place, ' Prepare to meet thy 
God!' 

u I have found very few in this circuit that know any 
thing about sanctification. What are we ? God be 
merciful to us ! O save us, both preachers and people ! 
Amen Do pray more still, and say to the Lord for me, 
* I will not let thee go unless thou bless him.' May we 
live every day to God ! 

u I am your affectionate friend and brother, 

" William Bramwell." 

But though Mr. Bramwell always endeavoured to 
preserve his spirituality untainted by grovelling objects, 
and for this cause refused to intermeddle in the mutual 
railing, which was then a practice too frequent among 
those who had formerly been ' brethren beloved ;" yet 
it must not be supposed from this that he was, in the 
time of difficulty, a supine auxiliary. If he did not 
enter into wordy discussions that ministered to mutual 
aggravation, he showed by deeds that he was greatly 
concerned for the welfare of the connexion, and exerted 
himself most heartily to raise the necessary funds for 
erecting a new chapel in Nottingham. For this pur- 
pose he was diligent in collecting all the money he could 
possibly procure from his wealthy friends ; and of these 
there were not a few to whom his ministry had been 
made a blessing. Mr. Henry Longden, of Sheffield, 
gives the following narrative of Mr. BramwelPs visit to 
that town : 

" At that time, be it remembered, Nottingham and 
Huddersfield were peculiarly circumstanced, with re- 
spect to their chapels, and though Sheffield was not 
one of the circuits enumerated in the minutes of the 
conference to be applied to for the relief of Notting- 
ham, yet it was deemed proper to send Mr. Bramweli 
.here as a powerful advocate for both those places. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 107 

" We can never forget the first appearance of Mr, 
Bramwell at that time in Garden-street chapel. He 
had given the people no previous notice of his coming. 
The sight of him therefore produced an astonishing and 
almost electrical effect upon the society. The remem- 
brance of the many happy seasons with each other in 
public and in private, passed in overwhelming review, 
and the people could not sing, nor could their beloved 
minister preach or pray, without the most powerful 
efforts and frequent interruptions. Their joy was in- 
deed ecstatic. When the object of his visit was known, 
the people vied with each other, and seemed as if they 
would pour in their whole store. Their bounty was so 
lavish, that he had to restrain the feelings and limit the 
donations of many, till, oppressed with a torrent of love 
and gratitude, he suddenly left the town, to prevent the 
poor from exceeding the proper bounds of their benevo- 
lence. Multitudes tendered their voluntary offerings 
without making any inquiry about the object to which 
it was to be applied. In this affectionate manner did 
they testify their love to a revered pastor, who had been 
a sharer in their joys, and had borne a part in their 
sorrows." 

While he was thus actively employed in Sheffield, he 
addressed the subjoined letter to his beloved wife, in 
which it is evident, " Whatever work his hands em- 
ployed, his heart was still with God." 

LETTER VIII. 
To Mrs. Bramivell. 

" Sheffield, December 7th, 1798. 

i( My Dear Ellen, — I thought of seeing you this 
evening ; but am persuaded it will be well for Mr. Pipe 
to come a few days. I see a work for myself in Sheffield. 

" We have blessed seasons every day, and some are 
daily saved. I am stretching towards the mark; my 
soul continually goes out after the Lord ; I am sure we 
are just beginning to live, and believe we shall live like 



108 MEMOIR OF 

our Lord in meekness and love. Oh ! what need of 
keeping up the strife every day ! May nothing slacken 
our pace ! Our fight is nearly over — our crown will 
shortly be given. 

Let us live every moment free from all the world. 
We never bring such glory to God as when we cast our 
all upon him. He loves to bear his children in his 
arms, and to see them always joyful. Oh Ellen ! triret 
in him, — pray to him, — work for him, — have no fear, — 
rush through all to save a soul from burning. I pray 
fo* you. — I have the whole family upon my heart. I 
trust Miss Rhodes will ever join us in seeking this lat- 
ter day glory ! May we all live as near to Christ as it is 
possible for the spirit in the body ! Nothing shall in this 
world, for one moment, make us rest short of the mind 
of Jesus. 

" I am sure you will see and know that I am with 
God in Christ Jesus. I am enabled, through grace, to 
love all more and more, and to love God in all. Oh ! 
keep this recollection of soul ; let nothing bustle the 
spirit; let nothing make you care; be always at His 
feet, waiting and longing to be with Him ! — The Lord 
bless you and the children ! Amen. 

" I am yours affectionately, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

Mr. Tatham, a respectable local preacher in Notting- 
ham, has furnished the following interesting informa- 
tion : 

" It is now upwards of twenty-two years since I first 
became acquainted with our much lamented brother, 
Mr. Bramwell. The benefit which I derived from a 
close intimacy with him during his three years' resi- 
dence in Nottingham, will, I trust, never be erased 
from my memory. His whole deportment and con- 
versation were such, as evinced that he constantly lived 
in the spirit of prayer and devotedness to God. On 
some particular occasions I have had the honour of en- 
tertaining him under my roof, when I have been a wit- 
ness to his ardent supplications at a throne of grace at 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 10!,* 

die early hour of four o'clock in the morning : and this. 
I have been informed, was a regular practice with him. 
in winter as well as in summer. 

4f Some remarkable answers to his prayers have 
come within my observation. One or two instances 1 
well remember. At the division of the Methodkt body- 
in the year 1797, the society in Nottingham, being de- 
prived of their chapel, had no place of worship in which 
to assemble ; they were consequently under the neces- 
sity of erecting a new one, but they found it difficult 
to procure a piece of land suitable for the purpose : 
the boundaries of this town, being limited by the 
common right to the fields which surround it, vacant 
plots of ground in the interior of the town, are not only 
very scarce, but also very dear. For nine months we 
had been on the search ; during which we made appli- 
cation for such pieces of land as we deemed eligible, 
but all without effect. No one would sell us any land. 
The most desirable situation was a paddock belonging 
'o the late John Sherwin, Esq., and various were the 
applications made in our behalf. But this gentleman 
also refused to accommodate us with any part of his 
estate. Thus all our attempts were frustrated, and our 
hopes apparently blasted. But our extremity was the 
Lord's opportunity ; for, at the very time we were ready 
to despair of finding a situation, our worthy friends, the 
iate Air. Henry Longden and Mr. Bramwell, came ovcl 
from Sheffield to see us. This was on the twenty- 
eighth of May, 1798. The next morning I had a pri- 
vate interview with Mr. Bramwell, when he asked me 
if we had procured a piece of land for the chapel. To 
which I replied in the negative, assuring him that there 
was not one suitable place in the town for which we 
had not endeavoured to make interest, and yet had ap- 
plied without success. He heard me with much atten- 
tion, and then said, ' Brother Tatham, let us pray about 
it.' In his prayer he said, * The earth is the Lord's 
and the fulness thereof, — the cattle also upon a thou- 
sand hills. The hearts of all men are in his hands, 
I he can turn them as the rivers of the south.' Ho 
10 



HO MEMOIR OF 

then most feelingly described our situation, crying, 
( Lord ! thou seest their necessity, and I believe thou 
wilt provide apiece of land for them, on which to build 
this chapel.' And soon afterwards with increasing faith 
"he said,. 4 Lord ! I believe thou wilt find them a piece 
of land this day.' Which expression he repeated seve- 
ral times, laying a particular emphasis upon this day. 
Perhaps no one ever entertained a higher opinion of Mr, 
BramwelFs faith and prayer than myself; yet (even in 
the face of that promise which I had frequently seen 
fulfilled, Mark xi, 24, # ) when I had called to remem- 
brance the various applications we had made, and the 
disappointments which had followed, I found it difficult 
to believe against hope. 

"But the Lord's thoughts are not as our thoughts, 
nor are his ways as our ways. After breakfasting at 
Mr. Bartholomew's, (then our superintendent preach- 
er,) we agreed to search the town for some other piece 
of land. But in a short time I was called off upon 
other business, and could not afterwards meet with my 
friends, although I sought them the whole forenoon. I 
afterwards found that Mr. Bramwell and Mr. Longden 
had gone to Mr. Sherwin's paddock, which we had en- 
tirely despaired of obtaining. It will be necessary to 
observe, that John Fellows, Esq., has a garden at the 
back of his house, which adjoins the theatre on one 
side and Mr. Sherwin's paddock on the other. Mr. 
Longden on his return stated that they had seen some 
land near the theatre suitable for the purpose. I asked 
if it belonged to Mr. Fellows, because I recollected 
that he had a garden near the theatre, to which he 
replied, • I think that is the gentleman's name.' I then 
remarked, ' We have long sought in vain ; and in some 
instances have endeavoured to conceal our intention of 
building a chapel. We will now go openly : I will 
wait upon Mr. Fellows, and ask him if he will sell us 
a part of his garden as a site for a Methodist chapel.' 

x * Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desrie, 
when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall hav^ 
them/ 



MR. W. 15 RAM WELL. Hi 

1 did so, and after a short pause, that worthy gentle- 
man said, ' I will let you have it. 5 

" Soon after my return, I discovered that the land 
which was promised to me, though the most eligible of 
any in that part of the town, was not the same as that 
on which Mr. Longden had fixed. He had seen Mr. 
Sher win's paddock ; and not knowing that it had often 
been refused to us, he had considered it a most excel- 
lent situation. When he related the result of his search, 
lie mistook Mr. Sher win's name ; and gave me 'to un- 
derstand that, as well as he could recollect, the lot of 
which he approved belonged to Mr. Fellows. But being 
a stranger in Nottingham, he had forgotten the name 
of the real owner, and was quite undesignedly the cause 
of my going to Mr. Fellows, with whom I Happily suc- 
ceeded. How mysterious are the ways of Providence ! 
For it so happened that two circumstances, trivial in 
appearance, (viz. my absence from the friends who 
went to look at the ground, and Mr. Longden's mis- 
lake in substituting the name of Fellows for Sherwin,) 
put us that day in possession of the site of land upon 
which our chapel was afterwards built. And all this 
appeared to be done, that the prayer of faith might 
have its accomplishment. 'Now all things are possi- 
ble to him that believeth.' 

" Another instance of Mr. Biamwell's faith, was at 
the time when a general alarm agitated our body re- 
specting a bill which M. A. Taylor, Esq., was about to 
bring into the House of Commons, to abridge the reli- 
.gious liberties of Dissenters. Many at that season 
were lead to plead mightily with God, that our privi- 
leges might be continued; and, among others, Mr. 
Bramwell did not forget to offer up his fervent suppli- 
cations. At the evening service, one Lord's day, before 
a very crowded congregation, he got into an agony of 
prayer; and, after wrestling for some time, he said, 
'Lord! Thou hast now told me, that this bill shali 
never pass into a law.' Adding, ' It is out of the power 
of any man. or any set of men. to bring it to pass! 



112 MEMOIR OF 

Several of the congregation thought he was going too 
far; but in about a week afterwards the bill was quashed 
" In the great revival of the work of God, which 
broke out at Sheffield and Nottingham about the same 
time, Mr. Bramwell took a very active part. At several 
of our meetings, the outpouring of the Spirit was so 
manifest, that a whole assembly have been wrought 
upon and powerfully affected at once. Such glorious 
displays of the Lord's omnipotent power, and of his 
willingness to save perishing sinners, I believe will 
never be forgotten by hundreds, who then partook of 
the Divine blessing. It seemed as if the Lord was 
about to ' sweep the nations and shake the earth, till 
all proclaimed him God.' — But in several revivals of 
religion, when God has raised up various witnesses of 
his power to save, and instruments to carry his pur- 
poses into execution, the enemy of souls has also been 
very forward to promote the interests of his kingdom. 
In order to compass his infernal designs, he has raised 
up instruments to ape or imitate the work of God, in 
the same manner as in. the days of old, when, by his 
servant Pharaoh, he ordered the magicians of Egypt to 
exhibit the very miracles which Moses had performed 
hy the Divirte command. If the hypocrisy of such cha- 
racters is not timely discovered, the injury which the 
good cause will sustain by them, is inconceivable. Now 
Mr. Bramwell was by no means of a censorious dispo- 
sition ; yet he had the gift of discerning the spirits and 
dispositions of men in a remarkable manner. I have 
frequently known him detect impostors who have step- . 
jyed forth to exercise in various meetings. On one oc- 
casion when he was desired to visit a dying man, I 
went with him. We beheld the wretched object with- 
out a shirt to his back. The few rags which hung on 
him scarcely covered his body. His habitation was a 
damp miserable cellar, and a woman was attending him 
who was represented to be his wife. For some time 
after our entrance into this dwelling, Mr, Bramwell re- 
mained silent ; at length he exclaimed * All is not right 
here ! I am clear there is something amiss in this place t* 



Mtt. \V\ BRAMWELL. 113 

Then turning to the woman, he said, ' This man is not 
your husband. You never were married to him ; but 
;br several years you have been living together in sin 
and wickedness !'— His word went with power to their 
Iieart y — they both wept exceedingly, acknowledged the 
charge to be true, and began to entreat the Lord to 
have mercy upon them." 

Like the great Apostle, Mr. Brain well was willing 
to " become all things to ail men, that he might gain 
some : ,J of which the following is a striking instance: 

At one of the villages in the Nottingham circuit, se- 
veral persons had left the Methodist Society and joined 
the Quakers. Mr. Bramwell heard with pain that they 
had withdrawn themselves-. The next time of his going 
to preach in that place, it occurred to him, that it per- 
haps might be profitable to deviate a little from the 
usual mode of public worship ; and therefore after his 
sermon, he said to the congregation, " Sit down, friends I 
and .we will hold a Quakers' meeting.' ! He then ex- 
horted them to lift up their hearts to God, and earnest- 
ly, though silently, to pray for the descent of the Holy 
Ghost. While he and the congregation were thus en- 
gaged, the Spirit of the Lord was poured out upon them ; 
several fell from their seats, some in -great distress of 
inind, while others felt the " overwhelming power of 
grace divine." So that Mr. Bramwell himself seemed 
to be quite overpowered, and cried out, ' Oh, my Lord ! 
I never thought of this 1" 

Wherever Mr. Bramweii went, he endeavoured to 
promote the comfort and happiness of all around him. 
When any of the members of the numerous families 
whom he visited, were in distress or affliction, like 
another Samaritan, his bowels of mercy yearned over 
them, and his benevolent arm was stretched out to their 
relief. To lessen the portion of human misery, and 
to be instrumental in pouring the balm of consolation 
into the wounded spirit, afforded him the highest gra- 
tification. In relation to these remarks, the following 
narrative of facts Mas given by one Mr. Greensmith, 
he 14th of December, 1S18. 
10* 



114 MEMOIR OF 

" William Greensmith, son of Thomas Greensmitii, 
of Watnal, near Nottingham, when about nine years of 
age, was severely afflicted with a scrofulous humour in 
his eyes, so that he was unable to bear the light even 
with bandages upon them. Mr. Bramwell was then in 
the Nottingham circuit, and went in his regular turn, 
to preach at Mr. Greensmith' s house. On one of these 
occasions, he remained all night ; and previous to his 
departure the next morning, when his horse was brought 
to the door, he asked where the boy was who had sore 
eyes. Mrs. Greensmith replied, ihat he was in a dark 
room behind the door. He wished him to be called 
out ; he came and stood near Mr. Bramwell, who put 
his hand on the boy's head, and looked upwards, as if 
in the act of ejaculatory prayer. He then went out ? 
! .aving the child standing : while the latter, as if con- 
scious of some important change, pulled off his band- 
ages, looked through the window, and asked if Mr. 
Bramwell was gone. On perceiving that his eyes were 
perfectly healed, all the family were completely aston- 
ished. He is now about thirty years of age, and has 
never since had any complaint in his organs of sight." 
In this circuit Mr. Pipe became again his colleague, 
and speaks thus of him : 

"In 1799, I was again called to labour with Mr. 
Bramwell in the Nottingham circuit. Our chapel in 
Nottingham was taken from us by the separatists ; in 
consequence of which, our preachers and people were 
under the necessity of meeting in a barn till another 
place of worship was erected in the town. In this they 
were made to prove, that places of the humblest con- 
struction became Bethels when consecrated by the 
blessing and presence of God. Here many souls were 
awakened and brought to the knowledge of the truth : 
and when the new chapel was opened, the good work 
continued to increase and prosper, till they were under 
the necessity of having it enlarged. Perhaps Mr. Bram- 
well, in all his travels, never saw more glorious dis- 
plays of the Divine power, than in this circuit. A great 
oncern for religion discovered itse!f among all ranks ; 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 115 

and many were ' brought out of darkness into marvel- 
lous light.' The societies were united and edified ; c and 
walking in the* fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of 
the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.' The name of the 
Lord Jesus was magnified ; and several deists renounced 
their infidelity, and found redemption in the precious 
blood of Christ. Provisions at that time were extreme- 
ly high, but the minds of tne people were borne above 
all ; and our social meetings were spiritual, instructive, 
and delightful. The increase of the societies during 
the two years! travelled with him, was about one thou- 
sand persons ; and the circuit was afterwards divided 
into three." 

The following important details are communicated 
by Mr. John Clark, of Nottingham: 

*' I was well acquainted with Mr. Bramwell during 
the three years of his travelling in our circuit. I watch- 
ed his conduct narrowly, that I might, if possible, dis- 
cover some flaw in a character so celebrated for holi- 
ness. But, after a strict observance of his actions and 
deportment for a length of time, I was compelled to 
draw this conclusion, — I have never yet seen his equal. 

" I never saw in him any thing like duplicity or par- 
tiality. No : I believe he loved all men and feared 
none. His preaching abilities were not of the com- 
mon kind. His texts were wisely chosen, and his sub- 
jects well arranged. It never was any part of his con- 
sideration, * In which of my discourses do I appear to 
the greatest advantage V But the inquiry in his closet 
was, ' What do these people need V His grand maxim 
was to adapt his sermons to the condition of his hear- 
ers ; and this is one reason why his ministry was so 
successful. His discourses were plain, pointed, and 
experimental. They were generally accompanied with 
the demonstration and power of the Holy Ghost. I 
heard nearly all the sermons which he preached in the 
town of Nottingham, and do not recollect having once 
had a barren season, except at one time when he was 
lame, and could not stand to preach. I have often seen 
a congregation of two thousand people so affected un- 



116 MEMOIR OF 

der his preaching, as to be unable to restrain their feel- 
ings, till tears have afforded some relief.. It was im- 
possible that any one could sit under him*without being 
benefited. Ingenious and clear in his ideas, he had al- 
ways something new, and never preached two sermom 
alike 

" 1 attribute the greater portion of his success in the 
ministry, to his diligence in prayer. It seemed as 
though, when he was closeted with theiiiisG of kings, 
he had the varied states of the people unveiled to him 
in a manner the most remarkable. Thus was he qua- 
lified to direct ' a word in season' to each of his hear- 
ers. He entered most minutely into their experience. 
In his preaching, he could dissect the mind and feel- 
ings of all his congregation, and disclose his actual 
condition to every individual. 

" Mr. Bramwell did not blend the doctrines of the 
gospel together, and thus form them into one confused 
mass which nobody was capable of understanding. In 
a very masterly manner, he displayed distinctly the 
attributes of God, the fall of man, the doctrine of free- 
grace, the great atonement of Christ, repentance to* 
wards God and faith in the blessed sacrifice of Christ 
in order to be justified from the guilt of sin, and from 
the condemning power of the law of God. He was 
accustomed to maintain, that a sinner who feels him- 
self thus redeemed and justified, is 6 a babe in Christ,' 
and only a babe. It was necessary therefore, he in- 
sisted, that this incipient believer should hold fast the 
beginning of his confidence without wavering, and go 
on to be perfected in love, till he obtained the Divine 
nature, and recovered the blessed image of God. — 
These were the doctrines which Mr. Bramwell con- 
stantly pressed on his hearers. He was very desirous 
that they should ascertain the ground on which they 
stood, as it regarded their religious experience. 

ft H© never would address a lazy insensible compa- 
ny. He would neither allow children to cry during the 
time of divine service, nor any one to look around at 
the door and gaze on passing objects. If they did Ho4 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. H? 

appear inclined to give him their undivided attention, 
he would instantly desist, — accounting it no personal 
mark of disrespect to himself, but a sort of contumely 
poured on the gospel. It was his expressed determi- 
nation not to preach to a people who trifled with the 
word of God. This commendable practice produced 
a degree of solemnity in the people, that assisted him 
much in the impressions which he wished to make. 

" He laboured to promote the sanctification of his 
hearers, both by his addresses in the pulpit, and his 
faithful instructions in private. To accomplish this 
great object, he fasted, watched, and prayed, in season 
and out of season, both day and night. The fervency 
of his prayers, and the greatness of his zeal, were un- 
paralleled. While he was with us at Nottingham, it 
was his regular practice to rise at four o'clock in the 
morning during the summer months, and at five in the 
winter. The first of his waking hours was devoted to 
earnest intercessions in behalf of his family and friends, 
the church and the world, and for a blessing on his 
own ministry. The next hour he attended the morning 
r^rayer meeting ; but if it was a day on which there 
was none, he would remain in his study, reading the 
Scriptures, and studying for the edification of his flock. 
In this manner he spent the forenoon of every day, sea- 
soning all his exercises with much prayer. The whole 
of the afternoon was generally appropriated to visiting 
the sick and poor of the society. Into whatevef house 
he went, it was a point of conscience with him not to 
leave it without praying. It appeared as though he 
could scarcely bear to live unless he was made useful. 
He often entreated the Lord, that he might be delivered 
from that bitter cup — a useless life. Indeed his feel- 
ings were such as cannot be described. I have fre- 
quently heard him declare in meetings, that he could 
almost wish * himself accursed from Christ/ if souls 
might but be saved. 

" How often have we heard him, as in an agony, 
wrestle with God for the distressed ! And when they 
have obtained deliverance, how has he been filled ' un- 



IIS MEMOIR OF 

utterably full of glory and of God V At such season*, 
his countenance has shone as with a heavenly radi- 
ance, his eyes have sparkled like flames of fire, hit 
whole frame has been full of animation, and I have 
heard him say that he felt as though he could then lift 
up ' all the apostate race of man ' to God. I shall 
always remember the first renewal of our covenant at 
which Mr. Bramwell presided. After the excellent 
terms of our renewed engagements had been read, Mr. 
Henry Longden, sen., from Sheffield, spoke to the con- 
gregation and prayed. Several others joined in the like 
exercises. After all, Mr. Bramwell engaged in prayer, 
when he appeared to lay such hold of the Almighty- as 
to prevail with him for a blessing. The glory of God 
descended on all the society present, in such a power- 
ful manner as I never before experienced. Many were 
so affected, that, at the conclusion of the service, the} 
could not come down the gallery stairs without assist- 
ance. That was the beginning of good days at Not- 
tingham. 

" I was once attacked by a violent pleuritic fever, 
when all around me despaired of my life. Many of our 
kind friends visited me in my affliction ; and almost 
unceasing supplication was offered up to God for my 
recovery. But all prayers appeared to be without effect 
till Mr. Bramwell came home out of the circuit. He 
immediately came to see me, and on entering the room, 
was qufte astonished at beholding such a vvoful change 
in my appearance. He thought I had all the marks of 
speedy dissolution upon me; and % giving me a look oi 
the greatest sympathy, he raised my head a little higher 
by means of a pillow. He then went to the foot of the 
bed, and began to pray to God in my behalf. His faith 
seemed to gain ground as he proceeded. He continued 
his intercessions with the greatest fervency ; and, in an 
agony, asked in submission to the will of God, that I 
might be restored. The Lord heard and answered his 
servant's prayers. For 1 immediately experienced such 
a sweet tranquillity and melting of soul, as I am unable 
to describe. From that moment my recovery com- 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 119 

iiienced, and I was soon strong enough to resume my 
ordinary occupations. Thus Mr. Bramwell might be 
said to be possessed of a key that opened heaven and 
drew the blessing down. 

" He walked and talked with God : his hourly com- 
munion was with his Maker. Many are the blessings 
temporal and spiritual, which have been procured by 
his prayers. I attribute all our great national deliver- 
ances to the united entreaties of such men as Mr. Bram- 
well. When Bonaparte threatened our happy land, our 
departed friend made the subject not only matter of 
private prayer, but introduced it into his public inter- 
cessions. Who can ever forget the confident manner 
in which he at those times expressed himself? He was 
always particularly earnest in his supplications for the 
, health and long life of our good old king. 

" As a superintendent, his conduct was most exem- 
\ plary. He was anxious to know what proficiency the 
people made in religion. To ascertain this, he met the 
i society in every country place where he went, and 
j requested his itinerant brethren to do the same. The 
i local preachers were also desired to meet every society 
| in the various places in which they preached. He was 
determined, by one means or other, to know all the 
i members of society,* and how they conducted them- 
selves. He detested slander in all its forms, and would 
therefore never allow any one to speak evil of an ab- 
! sent person. Adhering to the scriptural direction, 
] ' Tell him his fault between thee and him alone,' he 
i never suffered any difference between brethren to be 
introduced into the leaders' meeting, unless the parties 
had spoken to each other about the matter in private. 
When any affair was brought forward in that meeting, 
he studied to settle it with as few words as possible, 
avoiding all debates and cavils, which tend to mischief. 
If any one in his remarks wandered from the point in 
discussion, Mr. Bramwell always interrupted him, and 
would not let him confound others by extraneous sub- 
jects. We never had an unpleasant meeting on busi- 
ness during the whole of the three years that he spent 



120 MEMOIR OF 

with us. When any thing unpleasant offered itself, he 
had both wisdom and courage to act in a discreet and 
prompt manner, and thus the business was at once 
settled. 

" On quarter days and other public occasions, it was 
his wish to have secular concerns despatched with all 
convenient speed ; and to spend the remainder of the 
time in earnest social prayer. From such meetings 
the local preachers and country leaders departed hap- 
py and comfortable, praising God for the enjoyments 
which they had experienced. It was his constant 
endeavour to stimulate to action all men that held an 
office in the church, and to make them view the cause 
of God as their own. Formality and stillness were his 
dread ; he was afraid that they would produce a sleepy 
and lukewarm spirit. 

" How great was his charity to his Christian bre- 
thren! I have heard him declare, that he should delight 
in ' having all things common,' as the primitive believ- 
ers had after the day of pentecost. He was ever in- 
clined to ' do good unto all men, especially unto them 
who were of the household of faith.' To share his last 
penny with one of the poor of Christ's family, was with 
him a circumstance by no means uncommon. He would 
never consent to have more than one suit of elothes, 
and one pair of shoes, in a course of wearing at a time. 
And as soon as they began to have a worn appearance, 
he bought new ones und gave the old ones to those who 
were in need. In manifesting his sympathy with the 
poor and afflicted, he ' wept with those that wept.' — 
When any of the society had acted in an improper man- 
ner, so as to disgrace their profession, and, in the execu- 
tion of church discipline, were excluded from the body, 
he was disconsolate, and frequently mourned over them 
as a man that had been bereaved of his only son/' 

In the Nottingham circuit, it is seen Mr. Bramwell 
was again honoured with a third year's appointment, 
which proved very beneficial to that society. Although 
his labours were eminently blessed, yet from the fol- 
lowing letter to the late pious Mrs. Baiston of Leeds. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 121 

it seems that preaching and other pastoral duties were 
u weariness and pain to slothful flesh and blood." It 
is singular too, that, twenty years prior to his death, he 
should have an impression on his mind that his depart- 
ure out of this world would be sudden. 



LETTER IX. 
To Mrs. Baiston, 

" Nottingham, May 23, 1799. 

" My Dear Sister, — I have promised to write to 
•you, but oh ! how slow in performing ! This, God 
knows, is too much like my other works — done with 
reluctance- I have sometimes thought much on this 
head, — whether I shall receive so bright a crown as 
those who so readily enter into the greatest matters. 
To preach, to pray, &>c, &c, continues to be my daily 
cross. Lord ! thy work and will be done in me, and 
by me, more heartily. 

" My faith, my love to Jesus, my union with the saints 
and my prospect of glory increase daily. For some 
weeks past I have been seeking to be ready at any in- 
stant. / have received a persuasion that I shall go in 
a moment. Whether this be from my Father or not, I 
feel it has a good effect upon my mind : I live for him, 
Do, my dear sister, pray, — yea, always in private pray, 
that my soul may receive and retain all the glory ! — 
Amen, Lord Jesus ! 

;f I hope you will still care for the feeblest child, the 
tenderest lamb. Never forget you were once weak, — 
wanting every prop, every prayer. Look well to the 
iambs. Your great work is to nourish these and lead 
them on to glory. But at the same time view the bless- 
ing which is prepared. Hunger, thirst, cry mightily 
to God for all he has to give. I am persuaded many 
draw back after the cleansing touch ; and the cause 
generally is, their not determining to receive the whole. 
Oh ! see St. Paul, ( I reach forward :' hence, ' I have 
kept the faith.' You have received blessings of the 
greatest value in their nature : but these may all be 

11 



122 MEMOIR OF 

increased a hundred fold. Oh ! I want you to live in 
the holy place, in the nearest union, in the greatest 
glory, being changed from one degree of it into another. 

"I have thought, that if I am spared, I may receive 
in one month a double weight. I find all things remo- 
ved that would hinder, all things at work to my help ; 
and I have confidence that I shall pursue to the utmost 
the great salvation. What have we done ? All seems 
nothing. I have stood to look back on all my works ; 
but I cannot fix my mind on one that yields joy. I 
instantly look to Jesus, and in him I do rejoice. Lord, 
save me ! save my dear family ! save my friends ! save 
thy church ! Amen, Lord Jesus ! 

" I do and shall ever thank God, for your habitation, 
and the mercy under your roof. Our kind love to 
dear Mr. Baiston. Pray on ! Oh pray more ! I will 
join you. 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

TO The subjoined letters to Mr. Thomas Jackson, of 
Dewsbury, and to Miss Barrett, show his spirituality 
of mind, his zeal for God, and his tenderness of eon- 
science. 

LETTER X. 
To Mr. Thomas Jackson. 

" Nottingham, June 21, 1799. 
" My Dear Brother, — If I had not promised, I 
should scarcely have ventured to write by the post. I 
thank God that you have peace and love restored. Oh I 
continue it with all prosperity ! The Lord save you, 
your family, and the whole society ! Give our dear 
love to them all. God is with us. I am nearer the 
throne ; and never was so dependent on Jesus : He is 
yiY all, bless the Lord : — God is working ; but we 
want greater things, I trust we shall see such glory 
as we have not yet done. Do tell your dear wife we 
love her in the Lord, and shall pray for her. Oh ! may 
she be the mother in your little church. My brother, 






MR. W. BRAMWELL. 123 

live every moment in the spirit of prayer. Preach in 
the same power. Take courage, and work for your 
God. Amen ! 

" Write to me soon, and let me know every thing. 
Continue to pray for me. Be faithful to me. I must 
have a clear conscience in every thing. I can do no- 
thing because others do it. Oh ! may I keep my soul 
pure ! Lord, stand by me and the church for ever ! 
" I am your servant in Jesus, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XL 

To Mr. Thomas Jackson. 

" Nottingham, September 4, 1799. 
;; My Dear Brother, — I thank you for your friendly 
letter; and I praise God that you continue to pray for 
me ; which I hope you will ever do, till we meet in glory. 
I am striving with continued prayer to live nearer to 
God than I have ever done ; and he brings my soul into 
closer union ; I live with Jesus : he is my all. Oh ! he 
lays me at his feet. I am less than nothing in his sight. 
" This walking with God ! this conversation in hea- 
ven ! Oh ! how I am ashamed ! I sink in silent love. I 
wonder how the Lord has ever borne with me so long. 
I never had such a view of God and myself. I pray 
that every moment of my life may show forth his praise. 
Praise him for ever ! Do give my love to Mr. Miller 
The Lord will make him a great blessing to you all : 
Pray for him, and help him all you can. Your circuit, 

I I believe, will arise. May the Lord send you salvation, 

j and may all the circuit praise him ! 

*3fe ^> CA. £*• JU 

W TS" *7v' *fc ^fP 

fl I pray that grace and peace may be multiplied 
* amongst you all ! The Lord is working in town and 
| country ; but we wait for greater things than these. 
Come^ Lord Jesus ! Come quickly ! Amen ! 
"lam yours, affectionately, 

" Wax. Bramwell." 



124 MEMOIR OF 



LETTER XII. 
To Miss Barrett. 

"Nottingham, September 27, 1800 

■3> JL»j ,*£* ^> pV* 

W W W W *A" 

# I write to you, my dear friend and companion in 
the tribulation of Jesus, our common Lord and Saviour ; 
who is, and shall be, our glory, in this world, and in 
that which is to come ! I am waiting for my place with 
earnest longing ; and am truly desirous of being near 
my blessed Lord. I am more than ever convinced of 
this truth, that the degrees in heaven will astonish 
thousands. And should not we see our privileges on 
earth 1 Oh ! let us labour with this view every day 
We have not long to work ; and, therefore, may we 
suffer all his will ! 

" I am enabled to consider your calling, and how 
much you may be drawn from your own purpose. In 
this I say, ' Thy will be done ! - 

" Please inform us of the time of your coming, and 
so abide ; because many are kept in a state of suspense, 
which is rather uncomfortable for us. 

" We are unworthy : I feel this ! Yet God is among 

the people, saving and filling. But we want you ; and 

God will come with you. Do come immediately, and 

let me know the time. Our love to you and all friends 

" Yours, &c, 

" Wm. Bramsvell." 

LETTER XIII. 
To Miss Barrett. 
"Taghill, Nottingham, October 1G, 1800. 
" My Dear Sister, — I was much affected when I 
came home and found you were gone ; especially as we 
had both promised for Dunnington circuit and Leices- 
ter, and thousands were waiting for you at Mount Sor- 
rel. There is such an opening for you in that country 
as I never saw before. 



MR. W. BUAMWELL. 125 

u I bless God that you ever came amongst us. Were 
it in the order of God, I should not have the least ob- 
jection to stand by you in every place till we take our 
seats in glory. Pray for us every day. I trust I shall 
ever pray for you. 

" I have had a powerful season at Bulwell ; several 
souls saved. The same at Watnal, and last night at 
Eastwood. Glory, glory, glory to God ! Please write to 
me soon, and tell me of your journeys and labours in 
every place. The Lord bless you all ! and may thou- 
sands be saved ! 

" Yours, &c, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



CHAPTER X. 

Mr. Bramwell is appointed to travel in Leeds— His great popu^ 
larity and usefulness — His qualifications for the ministry— 
Letters — Some severe trials — Begins to travel in the Wether- 
by circuit, and afterwards in Hull — Anecdotes — Letters. 

In 1801, the conference was held at Leeds. Many of 
the friends in this town were particularly desirous of 
having Mr. Bramwell stationed here. Their request 
was granted by conference, as a favour : and Messrs. 
Barber and Reece were appointed his colleagues. Pre- 
vious to his arrival, many had entertained unfavourable 
sentiments concerning his ministerial talents ; and, 
indeed, the opinion has perhaps been too prevalent, that 
if a man enter heartily into what has been termed the 
revival, or, in other words, if he encourage prayer 
meetings, and exhort plain simple people to unite in 
carrying on the work of God - — this is a manifest proof 
of his being a person of only ordinary abilities. Now, 
were this sentiment actually correct, it would only 
prove, that the Lord is pleased at times to " choose the 
foolish things of the world to confound the wise." But 
the sentiment is extremely erroneous ; for it is a fact, 
which none will be disposed to question, that Mr. Wes- 
ley was a man of the most profound erudition, and it is 

11* 



126 MEMOIR OF 

well known that he was the decided friend and advo- 
cate of the work of God. No one can peruse his jour- 
nals, which have been very properly Called a (i History 
of Revivals," without being convinced of the truth of 
this remark. Mr. Br am well had not, however, been 
long in the circuit before the rnist of prejudice was 
completely dispelled; and he was soon regarded as an 
eminent minister of the gospel. 

From my great and close intimacy with him I had 
frequent opportunities of judging of his intellectual 
qualifications, and I think it proper here to state, that 
he had acquired an extensive acquaintance with the 
arts and sciences, could read the Scriptures in their 
original tongues,* and had obtained a knowledge of the 
French language. 

Considering his disadv?ntages during the early part 
of his life, it will be readily granted that he could not 
have mean ideas of human learning. How many labo- 
rious days, perhaps years, must he have spent in obtain- 
ing those ministerial abilities which, through Divine 
grace, rendered him so useful in the church ! He was 
a good sermonizer, and no one was more orthodox or 
pure in the doctrines which he taught. They who did 
not attend minutely to his sermons, not readily perceiv- 
ing his divisions, (the formality of which he always 
despised,) considered them as rhapsodies without con- 
nexion. But he never preached without a plan ; and 
his mode of treating subjects was often ingenious and 
original. His ardour for the salvation of sinners, and 
the assistance which he received from the Holy Spirit; 
frequently exalted him above ail formal preachers. Be 
cause he was eminently holy and faithful, the Most 
High condescended to render his preaching effectual to 
an amazing and unwonted extent. That he had good 
natural talents, is unquestionable ; but the entire aban- 
donment of the wish to shine, was the most consum- 

• 

* To render the Hebrew letters familiar to him, he was ac- 
customed for some time to write his journal in the characters 
of that language. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 127 

mate victory he ever achieved over the flesh. It was 
his glory to render himself a servant to all, so that he 
might win souls. He saw that the heart remained 
unchanged after the most studied harangues and elo- 
quent orations. The weapons he wielded were, the 
mighty arms of faith and prayer ; and when he beheld 
Satan's kingdom falling, and crumbling beneath their 
powerful energy, he scorned all adventitious aids, con- 
sidering ornament as the destruction of their simplicity 
and effect. 

He was frequently consulted both concerning tempo- 
ral and spiritual things: and many derived peculiar 
benefit from his judicious and very friendly advice. He 
well knew how to " condescend to men of low estate,' 
and the poorest members of society could approach him 
without the least embarrassment. Far from assuming 
an air of consequence or superiority whilst in the com- 
pany of the humblest followers of Christ, he endeavour- 
ed by his endearing and affable conduct, to convince 
them that he was a friend and a brother. Abhorring 
the fashionable practice of pretending not to know a 
poor man in the streets, he heartily greeted him. And 
if his advice was sought about any matter, l^e would, if 
disengaged, stand and give it : if he was busy, he would 
kindly inform the person, that he could not then be 
detained, but would see him at any other opportunity. 
Some who were poor and godly, occasionally invited 
him to take tea with them. He always went if he was 
at liberty. Several friends and neighbours usually 
assembled, and great was the enjoyment which they 
had in each other's company. To the sick he was 
peculiarly attentive ; and he made it his business to 
call on every Methodist family in the town, and also on 
as many in the country as he could conveniently visit. 

It may not be uninteresting here to record an in- 
stance of his pastoral advice, given to three members 
of the society, who were band mates, one of whom has 
communicated the following particulars : — Well know- 
ing that Mr. Bramwell was a man mighty in prayer, 
•hey wcie very desirous of conversing with him on tha* 



128 MEMOIR OF 

important subject. They accordingly waited upon him, 
at his own house, early one morning, and asked him 
the following questions : — 

1. In private prayer, we sometimes feel power to 
wrestle with the Lord for increasing salvation for our- 
selves, and for the extension of the kingdom of Christ; 
at other times we feel no such power, but rather are 
distracted, and our minds wander from the point in 
hand. What should we do in the latter case ? 

2. If we do not feel much liberty in prayer, should 
we nevertheless continue in the posture of kneeling ? 

3. Is what is called by some " burning love," to be 
attained gradually or instantaneously ? 

To these inquiries Mr. Bramwell very condescend- 
ingly made the following replies : — 

"First. — When we find distraction in private prayer, 
we are often called upon to fight and wrestle, in order 
to obtain * a mind stayed upon God.' And sometimes 
when it is suggested, that we should do something else, 
viz. read, &c, we ought resolutely to persevere in the 
path of duty ; and when we conquer through Christ, 
those seasons are often the most profitable. 

"Secondly. — Should we, however, still feel dissipat- 
ed, we might then rise, and walk up and down in the 
room, and sing, or read some portion of the word of 
God, and then kneel down and pray again. Or if the 
body be weak, we may occasionally pray standing, or 
even sitting. 

" Thirdly. — * Burning love,' that is, a warm glowing 
feeling in the heart, is no necessary consequence upon 
full salvation : it may exist with or without it. It is 
seldom given for more than a day or two : and then 
often previous to some peculiar trial, or some extraordi- 
nary outpouring of the Spirit." 

Dr. Doddridge and some other pious men, have 
thought that vocal closet prayer is a practice to be 
preferred by some persons to silent mental devotion, 
because it tends to keep the attention awake, and 
preserve the thoughts from wandering. Mr. Bramwell 
was of the same opinion, and indulged in this beloved 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 129 

spiritual exercise whenever he had an opportunity. 
Before five o'clock in the morning, he has been heard 
thus engaged in his own garden, by many persons, as 
they have been passing to their employment at that 
early hour. He seems to have resorted to this prac- 
tice, when his fervent soul has been particularly led 
out in strong desire to praise Him whom it was his 
delight to magnify. 

Herd-farm near Harewood, the residence of Richard 
Leak, Esq., was one of Mr. Bram well's favourite places, 
when he was in this circuit. At the hospitable man- 
sion of that respected gentleman, our ministers were 
accustomed, once in two weeks, to remain all night, 
after having preached at Allwoodley Gates. The situ- 
ation is most delightful. Placed on a gentle eminence, 
the house is, at a small distance, nearly encircled on 
three of its sides by a fine wood, that gradually rises 
to a proud elevation above it. Penetrating into the 
depths of its most umbrageous retreats, Mr. Bramwell 
poured forth the feelings of his heart in loud and fer- 
vent supplications before the God of heaven. The 
tones of his strong and mellifluous voice reverberated 
through all the dells and glades ; while the wild inmates 
of the wood were scared at " sounds unknown before." 
But they were the sounds of thanksgiving as well as 
thole of entreaty. He has frequently been engaged 
there for four hours together, till some branch of the 
family, loath to disturb his devotions, has ventured into 
his beloved solitude, and invited him to partake of the 
prepared repast. Always gentle and obliging, he com- 
plied with the request ; though the heavenly abstraction 
of his mind at such seasons seemed to say, " I have 
meat to eat that ye know not of!" His voice was the 
clue by which they could generally discover the part 
which he had chosen for retirement; because when 
not engaged in prayer, (which act he reverently per- 
formed on his bended knees,) his meditations could 
be indistinctly heard, — for they were the utterance 
of the heart expressed aloud while he walked along 
the winding paths in the wood, almost every corner oi 



130 MEMOIR OF 

which, being bounded by streams, was favourable to 
echo. 

Many were the points of resemblance between Mr. 
Bramwell and the Rev. Joseph Alleine, author of the 
i( Alarm to the Unconverted ;" and in nothing was this 
more apparent than in their mutual love of privacy for 
the purposes of prayer and praise. Mr. AlleineV 
biographer relates concerning him, '* He spent a con- 
siderable part of his time in private converse with God 
and his own soul ; he delighted very much to perform 
his secret devotions in the view of heaven, and in the 
open air, when he could find advantages fit for his 
purpose. He used to keep many days alone, and then 
a private room would not content him, but, if he could, 
he would withdraw himself to a solitary house, that 
had no inhabitant in it. And herein he was gratified 
often by some private friends of his, to whom he did 
not impart his design : perhaps it was, that he might 
freely use his voice as his affections led him, without 
such prudential considerations and restraints as would 
have been necessary in another place ; and that he 
might converse with God without any avocation or dis- 
traction."* 

" Neither did he so gaze upon and adore Christ his 
Redeemer, and his redemption, as to forget to sound 
forth the praises of God the Creator. For often he hath 
been heard, with admiration and praise, to take notice 
of the Divine power and wisdom in the works of crea- 
tion ; and therefore in the open air, in the private re- 
tirement of some field or wood, he delighted to address 
himself to God in praise, that his eyes might affect his 
heart, and awake his glory. And here often he has 
been heard to say, that man was the tongue of the ichole 
creation, appointed as the creature's interpreter , to 
speak forth and make articulate the praises which they 
but silently intimate "t 

"And indeed had not his zeal for God's glory, and 
the salvation of souls, engaged him so much to an 

* Alleine's Life and Letters, page 45. t Jbid. 168. 






MR. W. BRA3MWELL. 131 

active life, he could have even lived and died wholly in 
divine contemplation and adoration ; so much did he 
delight to shrink within himself, and to abandon the 
view of the desperate adventures and antic motions of 
a mad world ; that so, being shut to these, he might 
only open his soul to God and glory, displaying it to the 
glorious beams of the Sun of righteousness. There- 
fore did he often delight in his devotions to converse 
with the fowls of the air, and the beasts of the field, 
since these were more innocent, and less degenerate 
than man. 

"With streams and plants did he delight to walk, 
and all these did utter to his attentive ear the praise 
and knowledge of his Creator, and in his unsettled 
sojournings from place to place he did often (to use his 
words) lookback with sweetness and great content on the 
places of his former pleasant retirements , setting, as it 
were, a mark upon those which had marvellously pleas- 
ed him in his solitudes, by administering to his con- 
l templative delight."* 

" All the time of his health, he did rise constantly 
at or before four o'clock, and on the sabbath sooner, il 
he did wake. He would be much troubled if he heard 
any smiths, or shoemakers, or such tradesmen, at work 
at their trades before he was in his duties with God : 
saying to me often, * O how this noise shames me ! 
Doth not my Master deserve more than theirs T* 5, f 

Mr. Bramwell's earnestness in preaching, and his 
powerful and successful pleadings at a throne of grace, 
soon attracted general attention. From his commence- 
ment at Leeds, nothing would satisfy him but to see 
the arm of the Lord revealed in the awakening and 
conversion of sinners. For this he wept, studied, fasted, 
prayed, and preached. Like the prophet Isaiah, he 
often exclaimed, " For Zion's sake I will not hold my 
peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest until 
the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and 
the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth." It was 

H Alleine's Life and Letters, page 166. f Ibid. 170, 



132 MEMOIR OF 

not long before he saw the fruit of his labours ; the 
Lord poured out his Spirit ; numbers were awakened ; 
believers were quickened, and a very general revival 
took place in the society. 

During the first year of his labours at Leeds, all the 
preachers were united in the work of God ; and, ac- 
cording to the minutes of conference, there had been 
an increase of three hundred and seventy-one mem- 
bers. The following letters will show the state of Mr. 
Bramwell's mind at that period. The first was ad- 
dressed to Mrs. Bramwell when she was at Kingswood 
for the purpose of seeing her three sons. She was de- 
tained there longer than she intended, in consequence 
of being bitten by a dog. 



LETTER XIV. 

To Mrs. Bramwell. 

" Leeds, September 5. 1801. 

u My Dear Ellen, — I am sorry, but I wait and in- 
stantly give you into the Lord's hands. I hope you are 
better. But do not attempt to come too soon, lest you 
should inflame your leg, and thereby make it so much 
longer in healing. 

"I am still giving myself to continual prayer. I 
want you much ; but the Lord knows how to try me, 
and his will be done ! Write again immediately. — You 
will find a letter from me at Mr. Tatham's. In your 
next, tell me exactly how your leg is. 

" Oh may I have power to wait for you with all pa- 
tience and confidence in the Lord ! — I have many things 
to say to you. — I hope our heavenly union will increase 
yet more and more. Amen ! Were I to give way to 
my feelings, I should immediately come to see you. 
I am nearer heaven than ever ; and this enables me to 
say, ' The Lord does all things well.' I pray for you 
continually. O get much more, before you see me. 
** I am yours, most affectionately, 

"Wm. Bramwell/' 



MR. W. BRAMVVELL 133 

LETTER XV. 
To Miss Barrett. 

M Thorner, November 17, 1801. 

"M* Dear Sister Barrett, — I heard of your 
being at Rochdale with success. I understand you 
have freedom at Manchester. You will do well in not 
staying there too long, except you visit other circuits, 
and then return for a season. 

"I have long thought that your labours may be at- 
tended with greater and more lasting blessings, in the 
following way : Suppose you were to conclude sooner in 
the evening, go to rest sooner, and sometimes meet all 
that would come in the morning. A number who re- 
ceive good through your labours, and who love you, sink 
deep into sioth from your example of lying in bed. Not 
considering your labours, but following your practice as 
a plea, they afterwards sink a whole society. I think 
this may be prevented. Unless the people improve 
time, they never can stand long ; and the greatest mean 
in the worlds is rising early, and spending some time 
with the Lord before worldly business commences. I 
want all your fruit to abide, or, at least, the greater part. 

" Now, as the great work of our salvation depends on 
our diligence, and as the people will look at our exam- 
ple, even years after we leave them, is it not possible 
that you and all of us may show this example to the 
churches ? But there can be no harm in trying : and 
this is the least you can do. First , to dismiss the peo- 
ple, — all who choose to go after preaching. Then, to 
have what kind of meeting you choose, but to dismiss 
them again in an hour. Then, to go yourself positive- 
ly. If any remain in distress, leave the work in the 
hands of others. Retire, and as soon as you have got 
supper, go to rest ; having previously published that you 
will meet all that will come, either in the chapel or in 
some house, in the morning. Let this be sometimes 
done, but never lie long in the morning, unless you be 
sick. You will stand your labour better, by being 
often at it, than by being too long at the same time. 

12 



134 MEMOIR OF 

"God is working at Leeds, and in some other places 5 
We have drops. 

" I beg you will write immediately, and let me know 
the state of the churches. I am praying for you. I am 
seeking to be ready. 

"Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XVI. 
To Miss Barrett. 

"My Dear Sister Barrett, — From a full persua- 
sion of your call in an extraordinary way, and believing 
that the design of God concerning you, is to spread the 
flame of heavenly love in our connexion, — I write to you 
with all freedom on a certain subject, which has given 
me much concern. I understand you have some seri- 
ous thoughts about marrying. I am led to think that 
this proceeding would prevent the design of the Al- 
mighty concerning you. 

" Fully understand me ; I do not mean that it is 
wrong to marry, but I think it would prevent in you the 
answering that great end of your call. 

" In the Jirst place, your situation would become 
local. Now, I am certain that this is not your place 
with respect to doing general good. You would soon 
become in a great degree useless. 

" In the next place, you may have the cares of a fami- 
ly ; but you would not have that influence among num- 
bers of your own sex. 

u I conceive you can only think of altering your state 
upon one ground, — and that is, 1 1 am become obsolete ! 
My work is done ! I am shut out ! I can do no more ! 
I am called to give it up.' If you think so, I think dif- 
ferently. A number of places will yet receive you ; 
and I think your way is more open this conference 
than ever it has been. I beg that you will write me 
all your heart; and, if you please, I will immediately 
consume your letter after reading it, and will keep the 
whole in my own mind. 

"As I am concerned for you, write soon. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 135 

"I am quite ignorant at the present why the Lord 
has kept me here. — Things are low indeed in this cir- 
cuit; and means must have been used to make them as 
they are. Of this we will say nothing ; only, pray forme. 

f? I must in a few weeks, if spared, strike home, and 
leave the whole to God. I see hell will rise : but our 
God is almighty. Keep this letter in your own mind. 
I beg that you will come this way and go with me to 
several places before you go, or as you go to Notting- 
ham. I have found much fruit in Birstal circuit. The 
Lord bless you. Amen ! u Yours, &>c, 

"Wm. Bramwell. ,? 

LETTER XVII. 
To Mrs. BramioelL 

" Harewood, April 14, 1802. 

" My Dear Ellen, — I received \our letter — am 
thankful to our heavenly Father for his care over 
you. All things are in peace at Leeds. I think twenty 
received liberty when Mr. Miller was there. I am 
much better of my cold ; but not well in my back, yet, 
I think, no worse. 

" You must do all you can this journey ; leave nothing 
undone. Write immediately, and Met me know when 
you will come home. I am not certain that I can meet 
you, but will, if possible. It has been much on my 
mind, that you may live as Ann Cutler, and I as John 
Fletcher. Let us follow them, and begin immediately. 
I believe I have a call for us both. 

<f Oh that God may save some of that family! 
" I am yours affectionately, 

" Wm. Bramwell. 55 

LETTER XVIII. 

To Mr. Taft. 

" Leeds, May 27, 1802. 
" Mv Dear Brother, — You must have no doubt 
upon your mind respecting my regard for you and 



136 MEMOIR OF 

yours. I am ever the same towards you both, though 
I have not written so frequently as I ought to have 
done. I never was more employed than I have been 
this year. 

" 1 suppose Mary is gone from Margate. I hope light 
will shine upon her path in all things; and nothing can 
be better than to wait and see every open door of pro- 
vidence. -.The Lord sent her into Kent. I see your 
union was of God. — In several things I am so per- 
suaded, that I have never had the least uneasiness on 
this head. 

" No great work can be done without much opposi- 
tion. Never look for peace whilst you proclaim war„ 
I do not know how things will turn out at Manchester, 
Bnt the Lord reigneth ; and he is, I am sure, our God, 
Fear none of those things. Stand still, and see the 
salvation of God. I often do the most in doing nothing 
Pray much, and for me — especially at this time. 

" Numbers are saved in Leeds; but I do not see one 
yard before me. God must provide, or all is over!— 
But he will. Faith claims him for our all. 
" Yours, as ever, 

<{ Wm. Bramwell." 

Considering Mr, Bram-well's ardent desire for the 
salvation of men, how must he have rejoiced to see 
Zion in prosperity, and the society dwelling in amity 
and peace ! But, alas ! he w imperfect is our know- 
ledge of futurity ! Very soon after having written the 
two preceding letters, he was called to meet a most 
tremendous storm. It is certainly a wise ordination of 
Providence, that we know not what shall happen to us 
on the morrow. It is probable, that if mankind had a 
clear view of the trials and difficulties with which they 
might have to contend during their pilgrimage through 
this chequered scene, life would prove a burden too 
heavy for many to bear. It is therefore highly becom- 
ing, to bow to the Almighty Disposer of all events, and 
instead of wishing to pry into futurity, to endeavour 
patiently to submit to the dispensations of Providence, 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 137 

improving and enjoying the present moment, without 
anticipating future trials. ' Sufficient to the day is the 
evil thereof.' 

During the last year of his ministry at Leeds, Mr 
Bramwell was called to peculiar and embarrassing 
trials, as will appear from the following letter : 

LETTER XIX. 

To Mr. Taft. 

M Leeds, November 30, 1802. 

; * My Dear Taft, — I thank God for the consola- 
tion. He has delivered you, and will deliver even to 
the end. Salvation is of the Lord. Give him all the 
glory ; and, if you keep quite humble, he will preserve 
you from every word and work which has the least 
tendency to excite disgust. — You know not what you 
have to do. One day of your life, will, in future, tell 
for ever. Be always on your watch tower, and con- 
tinue in prayer, and you will see greater things than 
these. 

"I see still greater things in Leeds. Many are saved 
in the town, not so many in the country. I have not 
the help I want. I say sometimes, * Wo is me ! for I 
am a man beset with opposition from all the powers of 
hell !' You would be surprised what plans I have dis- 
covered to prevent the general crush ; but I see shak- 
ings through the whole. The work does not extend as 
I could wish. Here I mourn and wait the hour. 

" I never lived so much with God as at present. I 
can say, 'My life is prayer, and much in agony.' I am 
waiting for my change ; and yet, I sometimes think, 
my greatest work is to come. — Oh may I be ready for 
life or death! 

" I do assure you, you have numbers of friends, who 
will help you and your dear partner, by their prayers. 
Fear not; and while I fast, you will find it needful to 
live well. Be cheerful and thankful. — Give my kind 
love to Mr. and Mrs. Grace. Tell Mr. Grace I have 
never forgotten our prayer meetings in his parlour, how 

12* 



138 MEMOIR OF 

lie used to wrestle with God. Give my love to my dear 
Mend Manger, and to my brethren* Write imme- 
diately, and let me know every thing. 

"Our dear love to sister Taft. I beg that she may 
never faint. I do live, if she stand fast in the Lord. " 
"I am your most affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

u N. B. We have had such a work in one street as I 
have seldom seen ; many amongst those who were the 
worst, are now become the best." 

Mr. BramwelJ/s feelings and conduct during the pe- 
riod to which this refers, are so accurately described by 
Mr. Dawson in the funeral sermon which he preached 
od the occasion of his death, that it will appear quite 
unnecessary to detail them in this place. 

After Mr. Bramwell left Leeds, he was stationed 
in the Wetherby circuit, at the conference in 1803. 
He was received by the people with the greatest satis- 
faction. Many were the seals of his ministry there : 
and doubtless he has rejoined numbers in the celestial 
world, to whom, whilst in that circuit, his labours were 
rendered eminently useful. His attention to the general 
duties of the ministry continued constant and undevi- 
ating. In all things he appeared as a minister of the 
Lord Jesus, and gave the most indubitable proofs that 
the Lord was with him. 

His usual fervour burns in the following letters : 

LETTER XX. 

To Mrs. Z. Taft. 

" Wetherby, 1803. 
"My Dear Sister Taft, — I thank you for your 
letter. I am glad to hear from you, and of your well- 
doing. The Lord continue his goodness, and ever suc- 
ceed your labours with the salvation of souls ! How 
kind the Lord has been in your deliverance, and in 
blessing you and the dear child ! Oh ! praise Him for 
over ! The Lord continue his goodness to you all, and 
may we all be ready for every event ! 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 139 

V Now is the time for receiving the meetness for the 
highest place in glory. I am with all my soul striving 
every day, and never enjoyed greater power and love. 
Glory ! glory ! 

" In all the conflict the Divine presence was with 
me ; and I had a testimony that I was doing what the 
Lord commanded. I shall have the full reward, in 
giving up all, yea all friends, for that season. Pray^ 
ever pray, for me and mine ! We love you more than 
ever. 

"That rule should not have been submitted to. — 
This I advise, and had all the friends stood firm, it 
would never have been made. But as it is made, and 
complied with, I would advise you to act according to 
it in every thing, whilst in the connexion. — This is 
right, — Whilst in the body, to submit to all rules made 
by that body. 

" We want you here ; will you come ? Write. Mr. 
Rayson will come for you. I see souls saved nearly 
every night; but oh! the death of this circuit ! — every 
day is an agony to raise any. We have had a great 
love feast at Wetherby, and I expect glory at Keswick 
next Sunday. 

" Mr. Wilson and Mr. Rayson's family, and num- 
bers besides, ail unite with me in great respect, and 
wish to see you. My wife joins me in love to you, to 
Mr. Taft, and Mary Ann, to your brother and sister* 
T am in haste. But believe me to be 

" Your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell," 



LETTER XXI. 

To Mr. Taft. 

" Tadcaster, February 24, 1804. 
i4 My Dear Brother, — I waited long for an answer 
to my letter. I am truly thankful God is with you, and 
shall be with you. Oh, never grieve the Lord ! Watch. 



140 MEMOIR OF 






pray, and improve time to the utmost. Live in all the 
union, the love, the great salvation. Time is short. Be 
a man of God, — none more holy or more devoted to 
God. — I am quite given to him. — I feel my dependence 
upon Him every moment, f was never more dead to 
all below. My soul is all love indeed. Praise my Saviour 
for ever ! I saw a blessed work at Whitby, &,c. I see 
souls saved nearly every night in this circuit. — At We- 
therby not many. 

" I should change with Mr. Nelson a month. Mr 
Muff has sent for me : scores are saved in his circuit, 
and he is all alive. 

(i My wife joins in love, with many friends. I think 
Mrs. Taft should come and show herself once more. 
Write to me, and pray much for me. 

" I am yours, as ever, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

In the year 1804, Mr. Br am well was appointed to 
the Hull circuit, with Mr. Griffith and Mr. S. Taylor. 
The preachers were closely united, and the work of the 
Lord prospered. Mr Bramwell laboured with all his 
might to bring souls to Christ. His ministry was very 
acceptable ; numbers were converted, and the society 
in general quickened. When he was in the country 
part of the circuit, he frequently remained all night, 
by which means he had an opportunity of visiting the 
members, and of speaking to them concerning the great 
work of salvation. In this way his labours were ren- 
dered eminently useful, because he gained the affec- 
tions of the people, and they were then prepared to 
receive instruction, according to their peculiar circum- 
stances. In this circuit there were many remarkable 
answers to his fervent prayers, one or two of which it 
may not be improper to record : — • 

In the frost of 1804 and 5, Mr. Brayshaw, of Hull, 
had the misfortune to fall, and pitch upon his right 
elbow. Not finding much inconvenience at the time, 
he neglected to apply any thing to it, until about the 
middle of February, when a mortification ensued. So 




MR. W. BRAMWELL. 141 

rapid was its progress, that his medical attendants had 
determined to amputate his arm as soon as he should 
have sufficient strength to undergo the operation. They 
probed and laid it open to the bone ; but so much was 
nature exhausted, that it was feared at every subsequent 
dressing he would have died. An asthmatical cough, 
to which he had been long subject, then suddenly stop- 
ped ; — a convulsive hiccup came on ; and all hopes of 
his recovery were lost. His family were called in ; *he 
took an affectionate leave of them ; and gave them, as 
he thought, his last blessing. At this important crisis, 
Messrs. Griffith and Bramwell called to see him, as 
they were going to the select band. Mrs. Brayshaw 
requested they would remember her husband at a 
throne of grace in the band meeting. And whilst they 
were engaged at the meeting in agonizing prayer for 
his recovery, Mr. Brayshaw began to cough, the hiccup 
left him, and his asthmatical cough returned ; so that 
he recovered to the great surprise of all around him. 
A friend called after the band meeting, and observed, 
that she was almost sure that Mr. Brayshaw would reco- 
ver, — for there had been such an uncommon outpouring 
of the Spirit, accompanied by such faith whilst prayer 
was made by those men of God for his recovery, that 
she had no doubt concerning his restoration. The 
event proved the correctness of her opinion ; and it was 
generally thought to be a miraculous cure in answer to 
prayer. 

v The following account has been received from Mr, 
Thomas Ryder, local preacher of Thorngumbald : 

" In the year 1805, our daughter Abigail was so very 
ill of the hooping cough, that at times she appeared 
to lose her breath, and my wife often thought she 
was dead. Mr. Bramwell was in the Hull circuit; 
and when in that part of Holderness where we then 
lived he slept in our house. At one of his visits, we 
told him how violently our little girl was afflicted. He 
asked several questions concerning her, and then said, 
( Let us pray !' We knelt down, and the man of God 
prayed with peculiar fervour, and apparently in strong 



142 MEMOIR OF 

faith, that the Lord would bless the child, and speedily 
restore her. The Almighty, whose eyes are over the 
righteous, and whose ears are open to their prayers, 
heard and answered the prayer of his servant. Our 
daughter began to recover from that hour, and never 
afterwards had a severe attack." 

He was deeply interested in the comfort and happi- 
ness of those amongst whom he laboured ; and it ap- 
pears very remarkable, that when any of his Christian 
friends were peculiarly tempted or called to pass through 
heavy trials, their afflictions were often revealed to him. 
This will be better understood by the following account, 
transmitted by Mr. Everett, who is now stationed in 
Sheffield: "After being in the country part of the cir- 
cuit, Mr. Bramwell was returning home from Cotting- 
faam; on arriving in Hull he dismounted from his horse, 
and instead of going to his own house as usual, he went 
to Mr. Adams's. — \ Come/ said he to Mrs. Adams, ' tell 
me the state of your mind. You have been unusually 
impressed upon my mind all the way from Cottingham. ? 
Mrs. Adams was in very deep distress, occasioned by 
a peculiar temptation, under which she was then la- 
bouring. When she had stated her case to Mr. Bram- 
well, he said to her, * Let us pray ! For the Lord is 
about to bring deliverance.' They knelt down, he 
wrestled with God, the snare was broken, and she was 
completely delivered." — The circumstance which ren- 
ders this account more worthy of observation, is, that 
Mr. Bramwell had no previous knowledge of her tempt- 
ation. 

Mr. Triebner, an aged Lutheran minister, frequently 
went to the Methodist chapel while Mr. Bramwell was 
in Hull. A friend one day asked him, " Mr. Triebner 
how do you like Mr. Bram well's preaching?" And pos- 
sibly anticipating an objection, said, " Does he not often 
wander from his subject ?" iH Yes," replied the venera- 
ble old gentleman, " he do wander most delightfully 
from de subject to de heart." 

His letters show him to be in this circuit the same 
earnest, heavenly minded minister of Jesus Christ 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 



143 



LETTER XXII. 

To Mr. Wm. Burrows. 

" Hull, October, 1804. 

' My Dear Brother, — I hope you are going on in 
rhe same way, and much increasing in the love of God. 
Nothing can prevent your receiving the mind of Christ. 
Turn all into this, yea, all your concerns. Seek God 
in all, and acknowledge him in all. He will be with 
you and yours. — You will have to do all the good you 
can, with the greatest patience ; and be willing to be 
blamed for your best actions. — c Behold the Lamb of 
God !' Live near to him, and be patient in all. 

" I have had three weeks of agony, but now see the 
Lord working. — I have not preached lately without 
seeing some fruit of my labour. The Lord is saving 
souls. Oh that nothing may hinder ! Pray, pray much 
for me ! The Lord bless you. 

"I remain your brother, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XXIII. 
To Mr. Cranswich 

" Hull, November 29, 1804. 
" Mv Dear Brother Cranswick, — I think of you 
and the families every day. I frequently want to know 
how you all are. Satan will use a thousand means to 
damp our love. He will strive to make all things bear 
a gloomy aspect ; and will tell you that you may as well 
give it up, and that neither Deighton* nor any other 
place will ever be better. But though you cannot save 
all or many, yet one soul saved is of the greatest im- 
portance. The churches, though small, are of infinite 
value. Remember your own salvation : never sink ! 

* Deighton is a village in the VVetherby circuit, where Mr. 
Cranswick then lived. 



144 MEMOIR OF 

never lose the least prayer. It is praying continually, 
that keeps the mind. I am more convinced of this 
than ever. Oh ! Let God have the first and the last ! 
Your dear wife and all your precious little children 
are his : strive to lay them all in his arms every morn- 
ing ; make the act on your knees. God will answer. 
He will make all your way plain. You will see his 
glory. I know it is a strife indeed, to keep full amidst 
unbelief. Do all your work about the house, with as 
few words as possible ; but still be kind to all, even to 
the unthankful; — you will find the great benefit of this. 
Live to God ; be entirely given up to him in all things. 
The Lord continue his blessing upon you all ! I wish 
to see you soon. Oh let us take each other into God, 
and never break the heavenly union ! 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

"Wm. Braikwell." 



LETTER XXIV. 
To Mrs. Baiston. 

"Hull, January 4, 1806. 

£ * My Dear Sister, — The bearer, Mrs. Helmsley, 
will be a sweet companion for you, will meet your class^ 
and help you in the blessed way. We have had her 
much at Hull : she has been remarkably useful. I 
hope the Lord will be with her among the friends at 
Leeds. 

" I understand you are doing well in your own mind. 
But ever remember what great things the Lord can do 
for us. O the veil that is upon us, till the increasing 
light shines ! And I am astonished, how little we can 
know at once. Yet do not faint, do not grow weary, 
still strive. The greatest salvation is yours, only re- 
ceive. For if it is step by step, you will at least gain 
one every day ; and this will shortly bring you into all 
the fulness of God. Be always labouring ; and labour 
will be joyful, yea exceedingly joyful. 

"■My dear sister, do rise a little more early. Do you 



MB. W. BRAMWELL. 1-45 

strive to have all things ready for the day ? I do not 
mean for two days, (you will not bear that,) but for one 
day. ' Take no thought for the morrow.' If you re- 
ceive what I call ( the full composure' in the morning, 
the mind stayed upon God, the solid rest, — t"his will 
carry you into all your little concerns with the utmost 
patience, and the daily cross will be the blessed means 
of increasing your heaven. And this is a constant 
heaven ; this is your place to have God your all. I 
have seen much more lately. I can say to you, I live 
here ; I dwell in God, and wonder that I did not feel t 
what I now feel, twenty years ago. — But (praise God !) 
all is well. — My kind love to Mr. Baiston. 
" I am your dear brother, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 

With the following very judicious letter to a young 
preacher, we will close this chapter. The advice 
which it offers to him, is very important ; and one part 
of it reminds us of the following anecdote : — 

The servant of a celebrated doctor of divinity had 
3one to hear the Rev. George Whitefield ; and on his 
return was thus interrogated by his master, who did 
not greatly relish Mr. W.'s popularity. 4C Well, John ! 
what are your thoughts about Mr. Whitefield V ' ' 07i, 
sir fV said John, "he is a wise preacher, a very wise 
preacher," — " Yes," rejoined his master, " he is a wise 
preacher; but there are preachers possessed of greater 
wisdom than he is." — " That may be," resumed John, 
"yet he is a very wise preacher." — His master retired 
into his study, and in a little time rung for John. 
When he came, he said to him, " John, he that win- 
neth souls is wise : Mr. Whitefield is indeed a very 
wise preacher." 

LETTER XXV. 
To Mr. Joseph Wilson. 

"Hull, July 4, 1806. 
" My Dear Joseph, — You have frequently been 
greatly upon my mind. I was much afraid you went 
13 



146 _ . MEMOIR OF 

out too soon ; but I hope every thing has turned out 
for the glory of God, the good of your own soul, and for 
the salvation of numbers. I do pray, that this blessed 
end may be answered in all your labours. The Lord 
can and will help you, if your eye be single. 

" This is the time for your improvement. Give your- 
self entirely to the work. Rise early. Continue in 
prayer, in earnest prayer. Keep all your life, all your 
zeal ; yet never be wild. Go on your way. Speak 
evil of none. Never debate about the w T ork. ' Be a 
Iamb dumb; open not your mouth.' Live in entire 
sanctification, — all your heart God's throne. Never 
grieve him, or cause him to depart from you. Take 
care how you act towards women : keep your eyes s 
your heart, from wandering. Determine, if you need 
it, upon fasting. Keep your body under. Be dead to 
all. Be a man of God. I believe I shall have joy, great 
joy on your account. May it be so for ever ! 

u Procure Blair's Lectures ; they will cost you more 
than a pound. Read them with much care. Keep to 
plain words, yet not mean ones. Strive to save souls in 
every sermon. * They are the best preachers who 
bring souls to God.' 

"If you should go to Leeds, I shall have the comfort 
of seeing you. If not, write me a letter to Leeds, say- 
ing in it all your mind. Give my kind love to Mr. 
Blanshard. The Lord bless you evermore ! Many 
souls are turning to God here. 

" I am your dear brother in Christ Jesus, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 



CHAPTER XL 

Mr. Bramwoll's travels and success in the Sunderland circuit— 
His Christian moderation — Anecdotes — Letters — His ap- 
pointment to the Liverpool circuit— Letters. 

At the conference in 1806, Mr. Bramwell was sta- 
tioned in the Sunderland circuit. In consequence of 
the peculiar notions of his predecessor, Mr, Cooke. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 147 

who had been very popular there, the society was much 
agitated. On Mr, Bramwell's arrival, he found that 
the greatest caution and prudence would be necessary , 
in order to preserve the members from biting and de- 
vouring each other. Having on former occasions ex- 
perienced the benefit of profound silence respecting 
disputes, he resolved that he would neither speak nor 
hear any thing concerning Mr. Cooke's errors. He also 
enjoined silence on the subject of the controversy on 
his colleagues, and determined never to introduce it 
either in public or in private. When one of the preach- 
ers sent him some pamphlets written in answer to Mr. 
Cooke, he would not allow them to be circulated, but 
returned them to the author. 

While he thus persevered in occupying peaceful 
ground, the disturbance was almost instantly quashed, 
and his way was made clear and plain before him. He 
now began to exert himself, as usual, to win souls to 
Christ. To effect this he used every possible means. 
He frequently met the societies, held prayer meetings 
after preaching, and desired the people to pray. In 
love feasts, he always exhorted the people to declare 
their present experience in few words ; and sometimes 
took the liberty of telling the loquacious that they had 
spoken long enough. He often cautioned the people 
against long speaking about the past when they had 
but little to say concerning the present. By these 
means variety was introduced. He sometimes called 
persons by name to speak. When there was great 
backwardness at band meetings, he would begin at one 
end of the room and go through the whole assembly ? 
asking all of them the state of their minds. 

So ardently did he long for the salvation of sinners* 
that, when walking with a friend in the streets, he 
would suddenly leave him and go to warn, encourage^ 
or exhort other persons who were passing at the same 
time, and to many of whom he was unknown. Early 
one morning when he was returning from a village in 
which he had been preaching the preceding night, he 
met a friend, and said, " O my brother ! How much J 



148 MEMOIR OF 

feel condemned in my mind ! The little feathered song- 
sters of the grove have been awake and employed in 
the praises of God an hour or two before I arose." 

While he was in this circuit, he and one of his col- 
leagues met at the house of a worthy and respectable 
friend, where they continued all night. At that tim$ 
the family was brought into a very low state. The 
owner of the habitation in which they lived, wished to 
get it into his own possession for some other purpose. 
This would have been attended with very painful and 
distressing circumstances, because no other place could 
have been procured which would have suited them so 
well. During the course of the evening, Mr. Bramwell 
was made acquainted with the whole affair. After per- 
forming family worship in a way which will not soon 
be forgotten, he and his colleague retired, and spent 
nearly the whole night in prayer for these good people. 
In a short time afterwards, affairs were most unexpect- 
edly overruled for their good, in a manner for which 
they could not account. But they believe this change 
was effected in direct answer to Mr. Bramwell's pray- 
ers, for " the fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth 
much." 

It will appear from the following letters that he did 
not thus labour in vain, or spend his strength for 
nought: 

LETTER XXVI. 
To Mr. J. Armitage. 

" Durham, November 3, 1806. 
i( My Dear Brother, — I received your kind let 
ter. I praise God that my dear sister Armitage is so 
much recovered. I hope she will pray always, and her 
soul will grow abundantly. Say to her for me, 'Be 
ready, yea, be always ready.' The Lord bless her 
more and more ! I am at the present given to prayer. 
A great prospect offers in this circuit. — Cooke's chaft 
had nearly blinded the people. Crowds come to hear ; 
their eyes begin to be open= In one love feast last 



ME. W. BRAMWELL. 149 

Sunday, there was a great shower, — ten persons were 
brought into liberty. I do not know how it may end. 
If as it begins, we shall have a great work. 

f 'We have too good a house in Sunderland, and the 
friends are too kind. I have had to watch and fast, or 
should soon have been ruined with good things. I 
hope you continue to pray much, and would have you 
determine to improve your preaching. I know you 
may. Read, write, study, when you have proper time. 
Live in nothing short of a clean heart. Be kind to all; 
but submit to none in lightness, &c, &c. Be a 
weighty man of God. You have much to do. Do all 
to the Lord. Lose nothing in your business ; — I mean, 
lose no ground when in your business. You need not. 

" Write to me. I love you and yours. I will pray 
ou and be with you in glory. Amen ! 
£ - Yours, &c, 

4s Wm. Bramwell." 



a ' 



LETTER XXVII. 
To Mr. W. Burroios. 

" Sunderland, 1806. 
My Dear Brother, — I thank my Lord Jesus 
tor the information I receive from you on the subject of 
the kingdom of God. The salvation is nearer than 
when we believed. O what shall we do our Saviour 
to love ? I grieve that my love is no stronger, that I am 
no more like him. I wonder at his glory and sink be- 
fore him with shame. How is it, that the soul being 
of such value, and God so great, eternity so near, and 
yet we so little moved ? You perhaps can answer me 
this. 

"J never was so much struck with the word of God 
as at the present. The truth, the depth, the promises, 
quite swallow me up. I am lost in wonder and praise. 
My soul enters into Christ in this blessed book. His 
own sayings take faster hold of me than ever. — I could 
read and weep, and love and suffer ; yea, what could 
[ not suffer when I thus see him? Justification is 

13* 



ISO MEMOIR OF 

great,— to be cleansed is great, — but what is justifica- 
tion or the being cleansed, when compared with this 
being taken into himself? The world, the noise of 
self, — all is gone ; and the mind bears the full stamp 
of God's image : here you talk, and walk, and live,— 
doing all in him and to him. Continual prayer, and 
turning all into Christ in every house, in every compa- 
ny, — all things by' him, from him, and to him ! 

" O my dear brother ! I hope you are doing well,— 
prospering in health, in your family, in business, in sal- 
vation. You will have the daily inconvenience ; but 
this will be the grand means, yea the loud voice, — 
' Pray ! pray !' and continue in it, plead in it, weep in 
it, groan in it. — You know the way; yea the Lord 
liath shown you the gospel, the great salvation, and 
you cannot rest as others, be happy as others. No ; you 
must have all ; and nothing less than all will quiet 
your mind. Never grow faint. Keep the same action, 
the same labour for the good of souls, the burning love Si 
which will make you rise early, yea and sometimes late 
take rest. If things grow slack, Satan suggests 'no- 
thing can be done !' — I answer, ' much may be done V 
Ploughing, sowing, weeding, pruning, &,c, &c, may 
be done ; and this will give us hope of a blessed har- 
vest. Go on, do all in love ; but go on, never grow 
weary in well doing. 

" The Lord is good to us : I have seen four hundred 
brought into society, and I believe nearly all saved from 
evil. The work, I can truly say to you, is in general 
deepening through the circuit. Nothing was known 
about entire sanctification ; and on this ground I yet 
mourn. But we have got a band just begun, and I 
hope all will receive the blessing. Pray for me ! And 
beg that I may live in all the will of God. I think toy 
wife has stronger faith : her classes are all in a flame 
I want to see you ; but I am quite uncertain respecting 
the time : do give our dear love to Mrs. Burrows, to 
dear Miss Burrows, to William, John, and my little 
Josiah. The Lord be with the family, and preserve 



MR. W. BEAM WELL. 151 

our children ! Give my love to all the preachers, a? 
they come to you. 

" I am your brother, as ever, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER XXVIII. 
To Mr. J. Hanwell. 

" Sunderland, December 6, 180G. 
lt My Dear John, — I was glad to hear from you, 
that the Lord is with you and doing good in the circuit. 
I bless the Lord that the sun shines a little on Bridling- 
ton. Surely God is ready to make all things new, and 
will be with all who have a single eye and labour to 
save men. I know that it is no proof of your not be- 
ing called to the work, when you see yourself so unfit, 
and feel so much ashamed before God. At sixteen we 
think we know ; at twenty we think we know much ; 
but if we increase in true knowledge, we shall know 
ourselves to be nothing. Nothing could induce me to 
continue in the work, but ' wo be to me if I preach not 
the gospel !' Write all your mind to me again as soon 
as you think proper. 

" The Lord is pleased to help us here. I have seen 
at the least one hundred brought into liberty. Twen- 
ty soldiers are made acquainted with the Lord. A 
number of them have received pardon, but there has 
not a great number joined the society yet. The pros- 
pect is great. 

" Rise early. Keep a match box. Never be in bed 
late, unless you are obliged to sit up late. Pray ? 
Read ! Pray ! 

'■ I am your dear brother, as ever, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER XXIX. 
To Mrs. Paw son. 

" Sunderland, January, 1808. 
" My Dear Friend, — I am waiting for my change. 
I can say, I long for it I have been preaching two 



152 MEMOIR OF 






funeral sermons this week, for two eminent Christians ; 
and my soul, at the time, received such a view of that 
glory which they now enjoy, that earth and all things 
in it, were swallowed up in God. I must say to my 
dear mother in the gospel, ' I now live, yet not I, but 
Christ liveth in me.' 

" I have been for some months labouring to attain to 
that point, — for nothing for one moment to divert me 
from God, The Lord has given me this blessing. I 
now feel the full effect of that passage, 'he dwells in 
God, and God in him.' I live in God. O what views 
have I in this state ! Creation, redemption, full salva- 
tion, the state of the world !— I grieve, but it is in God. 
I rejoice, but it is in God. I speak, but I find it is in 
God. I am tempted much, but unmoved in God. Oh 
how I long for all the church to know this great salva- 
tion ! And yet I can bear with the weak more than 
ever. I am greatly ashamed ; sometimes I blush before 
the Lord. I can do nothing without him. I find him 
on my side and he gives me most striking deliverances. 
I wonder that God can love me. How is it ? But I 
can adore the Lamb of God. 

" My dear Mrs. Pawson, what shall we do to persuade 
the church into this union ? To be cleansed from sin 5 
is great indeed ; but to receive the inward glory, in its 
full influence, — this is the salvation. The Lord waits 
to impart every thing he has promised ; and would as 
a kind father, rather, much rather that his children 
had the whole. — I hope you are going on. Fear not; 
lie has saved and protected you, and he will do it to 
the end. Remember, instead of going from the out- 
ward to the inward, we are, as a body, going from the 
inward to the outward splendour, — which has been too 
much the case with all churches. The Lord be with 
you ! 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

(i William Bramwell.'* 






MR. Vt. BRAMWELL. 153 

LETTER XXX. 

To Mr. R. Filter. 

« Sunderland, March 7, 1808. 

11 My Dear Brother, — It has been much upon my 
mind to write to you. I remember with gratitude the 
information you gave me respecting my friends in Kent. 
How you are going on this year I do not know ; but I 
hope the Lord is still with you and blessing you in all 
your labours. Our work as ministers of the gospel is 
of such importance, that I frequently tremble exceed- 
ingly before I go into the pulpit. Yea, I wonder how 
I ever dared to engage in such a work. Yet when I 
am labouring to speak a little, I am frequently so much 
overpowered with the Divine presence, that I would not 
leave my work for all the world. O how merciful is 
God our Saviour ! He ' strengthens our weak hands. 
He will save us. 1 

** Go on, my dear brother ; preach, pray /purge, and 
plant. Do all in God, and he will stand by you, and 
work amongst the people. I hope you see the proprie- 
ty of the improvement of time. Perhaps ' early to bed 
and early to rise/ may hp. the best. I do not know 
'whether you will need more than six hours. I say 
* six hours in bed.' This has been sufficient for me 
for many years. If you find that you can do with so 
little bed, you have time for all things. What is it you 
cannot receive 1 What is it you cannot bear ? What 
is it you cannot do ? Live, my brother, in entire sane- 
tification. Be cleansed from sin. Live, my brother, 
in love, yea, in the fulness of God. Live to be a work- 
man. Do all the will of God in the churches. You 
will go through the circuit seeking souls Nothing 
but souls brought to God will satisfy. You will save 
yourself and those that hear you. 

H All is well here, through the goodness of God, — » 
your relation's, — the church, Numbers are turning to 



134 MEMOIR 01 

God ; but, I think, not so many in Sunderland as there 
were in the last year. Great crowds come to hear. 
The chapel is naw one of the largest. AH the seats 
are let : a pleasing sight ! Oh to be ready ! I labour — 
I strive — I do grow a little — I live in God. He is all. 
Oh the union, the heaven ! I never saw myself so lit- 
tle; yet I am c kept by his mighty power.' Lord, help 
me and all thy followers to sing thy praises for ever ! 
May I meet you in glory ! Amen ! 

" I remain your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell.' 5 



LETTER XXXI. 
To Mr. «/. Robinson* 

" Sunderland, April 15, 1808. 

a M.Y Dear Brother, — I saw your mother this 
morning, who desired I would write to you. I under- 
stand that you are quite satisfied you are in your place ; 
I mean as a travelling preacher — a work which makes 
me, even to the present time, tremble in the presence 
of God. I am still persuaded, that nothing can sup- 
port us but that Almighty power which raised the Lord 
Jesus from the dead. Yet it is quite possible for you 
and me to make this a worldly business, that it may 
become so formal, as to create in us no more concern 
than any common business in life. Shall the Lord or- 
dain us to this heavenly calling ? Shall he empower us 
with the spirit of zeal and of power ? Shall he send us j 
forth into this labour, to save sinners from everlasting 
damnation? And shall we, after all, lose the true 
spirit of our calling ? How can we then give in our 
account? How shall we stand before the judgment 
seat of Christ? Nothing less than the improvement 
of time, talents, &c, &c, can give us the least plea in 
that day. 

" Consider this, my dear brother, and strictly exa- 
mine yourself. Do you rise about four o'clock ever} 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 155 

morning 1 In order to this, do you retire to rest as soon 
as your work and eating are over 1 Or do you sit and 
chat with the people ? Do you give yourself to reading 
and prayer ! I say give, ' give yourself to these.' Are 
you never in company above an hour at once ? And. 
when in company, do you turn all into profit, into reli- 
gion? Are you a man of God in spirit, in word, in 
deed ? Do you feel a clear witness of entire sanctifica- 
tion, — the cleansing blood 1 And do you declare this 
and walk in it 1 

" I want you also to be a preacher. And, in order 
to this, would it not be well to read the Scriptures 
without a comment, find out the breadth and length, 
depth and height, by digging, prayer, and receiving 
light from God ? Whoever depends on comments will 
be very superficial, and will never speak with proper 
confidence. You may sometimes examine a comment 
after your own labour, to see what difference, &c, 
but never before it. Write something every day : have 
a book for the purpose ; and never lose one idea which 
the Lord in mercy gives you. In preaching, never be 
tedious : the world never did, and never will bear that 
which is tedious. Let your introduction be a short 
opening to your sermon. An introduction is to prepare 
the people to receive what you have to say. Let your 
sermon be clear and strong, reaching every heart, 
* Save thyself and them that hear thee.' 

" If you have no end in view but the bringing souls 
to God, — this will cure almost every thing. Strive to 
bring some home in every sermon. God will be with 
you, and he will bless you. He will give you the 
desire of your heart. Be neat and clean in all your 
clothes ; never foppish or fine. Have every thing con- 
sistent with your Lord Jesus. Set him before you at 
all times. Never be ceremonious ; yet learn a good 
address. Be courteous, be kind, never gloomy, never 
light or trifling. O my brother, live for eternity ; the 
Lord is at hand. Be ready every moment for glory ; 
ever as willing to leave this earth, as to go to sleep. 
Give my love, my wife's love, and John's kind love, to 



156 MEMOIR OF 

my dear brother Midgley, and to sister Midgley. Pray, 
pray, pray, and never cease. 

" I am yours affectionately, 

cf Wm. Bramwell,' 



LETTER XXXIL 

To Mrs. Baiston. 

11 Sunderland, 1806. 

64 My Dear Sister, — I have long had it upon my 
mind to write to you. This may be because of our 
former union in Christ Jesus. For I hope this union 
will continue with us, yea never be broken. Can we 
receive a meetness for eternal glory ? And can we re- 
ceive this meejtness for glory, while on earth, even in 
such a short time ? Can we in a moment secure an 
everlasting crown ? O my sister, who would trifle, who 
would suffer any object in this world to divert them 
from the reward — the full reward 1 I am frequently 
astonished that any enlightened person should make 
provision for the body, in such a way as to hinder in 
the least measure the glorious recompense. 

" You will view mountains ; and, in looking to God, 
you will reach their tops. But in little things, you will 
use your own strength, and sink to the bottom. Christ 
Jesus hath told us, that nothing can be done separately 
from him; and yet we forget the caution, and lose 
our way. Every thing requires prayer ; and, if we 
pray in every thing, we shall always find cause for 
thanksgiving to God. Keep your proper lookout or 
view. Keep your continued acts of faith. Keep your 
utmost patience : for, in seeing, believing, and being 
resigned, all your enemies will fall before you. My 
sister, as it respects our great salvation, we have no- 
thing to do with those who began before us, or with 
those who came in after us, — with counsel from man 
or with the experience of others, unless these corrobo- 
rate the testimony. It is plainly what God says ; for, 
all he hath ?aid he will do. Set your foot upon the 



MR. TV. BR AM WELL. 157 

Rock ; fix your eye upon the promise ; and, with your 
hand lay hold of the purchased blessing. It must, 
come, it must all come. Nothing less than all is 
yours. 

" Nothing does my soul more good than to see my 
fellow Christians claiming their own, — that which is 
with God laid up against their return. When you 
receive this cup of salvation, the effect will be, — the 
clamour of self is over ; the slavish fear of being no- 
thing is over ; the soul keeps its place in God ; and is 
ready for all that can come upon it. It bears, it for- 
bears ; it thinks no evil ; it cannot dwell or live here. 

" Oh this heaven of God's presence ! this opening 
into glory ! this weeping over a lost world ! this being 
willing to lay down your life for the Church ! c God is 
all.' Oh my soul, I feel its fire, its burning, as I write. 
God grant the flame may spread, the glory shine ! May 
the world receive it ! Places to me are less than ever. 
Devoted souls are my delight. To see my friends 
dwelling in God, and God in them, affords me one of 
the greatest earthly pleasures. Go on, my dear sister, 
go on ; the crown is before you. A few more battles, 
and heaven is won. The Lord Jesus grant that you 
may never faint ! Will you write and let me know all 
things concerning yourself, my dear brother Baiston, 
and friends ? I long to meet you all in yonder bright 

rid. Amen ! Come, Lord Jesus. 

*l I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER XXXIII. 
To Mr. Preston. 

" Sunderland, 1808. 
" My Dear Brother, — Nothing in this world can 
equal the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, especially 
when the love of God becomes the ruling principle of 
the soul. To struggle with outward sin is hard work, 
To fight with the risings of evil nature, is hard work. 
But when the soul receives the all-cleansing blood, 

14 



e 



158 MEMOIR OF 

when the mind enjoys this indwelling God, when he 
reigns alone, — then we find the great benefit of salva* 
tion : all is quiet, all is calm, — you stand unmoved. 
Water, fire, devils, men, cannot all disturb your rest. 
Besides you are prepared for every work, can preach, 
pray, &c, &c, and leave all to Him. Some say, ' It is 
good,' — others ' middling/ — others * very bad :' you 
can still say, ' Glory V and proceed with your work, 
Happy man ! Happy work ! Happy end ! 

" I hope you have fallen into no decline, given up no 
part of your faith or your union with God. Shall such 
a man flee, and so many souls going to hell ? Can you 
bear to see the world sink lower? It is low enough. 
We must by the grace of God, at least have a few, a& 
brands from the fire. If you gain one in a month, see 
your crown of glory ; and if nothing else will stimulate 
your soul to perpetuate this blessed work, let the place 
in the city of God ever stir you up to magnify the Lord 
in your body, whether it be by life or by death. I be- 
lieve you have not yet received the promise, I mean all 
the promise. I know that all things are so delightful 
when we enter the country, that we shall be occupied 
in gazing on the flowers, instead of pressing into all 
the glory, which you will ever find in the centre — God. 
To be swallowed up in him, is your glory. Do not 
stay, because others do. Give kind words to all, but 
tarry with none. Every thing you have to do on earth 
will now be a step to heaven. Business will smile with 
the presence of God. You will see Him in all things., 
and you cannot do any thing without Him. Live, my 
dear brother, with Abraham in believing, with Elias in 
prayer, with Daniel in courage, with John in love, with 
Paul in feeling for the world. Remember * night and 
day with tears.' In general, debates are fruitless. If 
possible, keep from them, though on the purest subjects 
Whoever thinks differently from you, be the same kind 
and affectionate friend to them. Bless them who curse, 
The Lord be with you. 

H Yours, &c, 

" War. Bramweia." 



MR, W. BRAMWELI. 159 

LETTER XXXIV, 
To Mr. Dunn. 

" Sunderland, February 7, 1807. 

44 My Dear Brother, — If you had not been pro* 
vided for, I should have sent for you here, as we have 
called a fourth preacher, and altered this circuit to 
what I think the most comfortable I was ever in — a 
fortnight in and a fortnight out We have three cha- 
pels in : one the size of Hull large chapel, another the 
same with Scott-street, and a third larger. I have 
seen more than one hundred souls brought into liberty. 
Abont two hundred joined us the last quarter, sixty of 
whom were soldiers, — lions turned into lambs. Such 
a work of God in the army, I have not seen before ; 
and it spreads. I wonder at the power of God among 
these men. Seventy now meet in class, and are prov- 
ed to be quite changed. A revival is beginning in 
several places. At Durham we have laid the founda- 
tion for a new chapel ; which will cost about two thou- 
sand pounds. A gentleman (not in society,) who heard 
the word, offered one hundred pounds and land. I 
think it will not be burdened. I am exceedingly fol- 
lowed by Satan, and much tempted ; but I do, upon 
the whole, grow in the grace of God. The Lord keep 
me and my brethren ! 

" I hope you will be quite comfortable amongst the 
Wetherby friends till conference. Do give my kind 
Jove to them in every place. I love them much, and I 
hope to see them by some means before it is long. My 
dear brother, read, write, rise early. Give all into the 
Lord's hands, and your way will be plain, your soul 
will be alive, your labours will be crowned with success. 
Time is short, the earth trembles, the mountains shake ; 
yet ' God is with us,' and he will be in us. Pray for 
me. I trust I shall ever have reason to love you in 
Christ Jesus. Amen. 

" Your very affectionate brother, 

" Wm, Bramwell/' 



160 MEMOIR OF 



LETTER XXXV. 
To Mr. Armitage. 

" Durham, April 20, 1807, 
lt My Dear Armitage, — I thank you for the inform- 
ation you gave me in your last, and I praise God for 
the conduct of Mr. Moore in this business. I hope all 
will do well, and that you will, by some means, in some 
place, receive the ' meetness for the inheritance of the 
saints in light.' This glory is set before us, and I thirst 
more than ever for all the salvation which can be re- 
ceived in this world. I perceive all our labour, prayer, 
faith and working, will be seen in that day, as very 
little that we have done in order to our entrance into 
glory. I never till lately had such striking views oi 
the heavenly country. The world and the Church are 
gone, self is gone, when I view the place, the compa- 
ny, the eternity, My soul cries out, l Oh make, and 
keep me ready !' The Bible becomes more than ever 
my delight, and I am ready to say — * I know nothing ; 
I am nothing.' Oh how I sink, yea, lie before the 
Lord ! Every thing that I say or do, preaching, pray- 
ing, &c, &c, seems to me to be nothing, compared to 
what it should be. Here I am, here I live, wondering 
that even the Lord himself should notice me for one 
moment. 

" I hope you make progress in the heavenly road> 
God is with you, has shown you many things, helped 
you in many, been kind to you respecting your dear 
partner, in continuing her with you a little longer. Oh 
how you should love and s£rve the Lord your God ! 
You know, nothing can be received but in the same 
way ; you began well, you continued, you are in his fa- 
vour. Now, my dear John, bear his likeness, O bear 
the image of your Lord ! Be pure in iieart ; never 
proud, never angry, never peevish, never fretful. Let 
all within be from heaven, God your all. I trust you 
will never rest without this. I hope in your next you 
will say, ' I gave my all to him. I pleaded that I would 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 161 

not let him go. He has cleansed my soul. I feel it. 
All evil is gone. I live in love, — all love, nothing but 
love.' Time is short, your work is great; God can do 
it, and he will do it for you. Fear not. Be holy : 
have the closest union with your Maker, your Saviour. 

" Things are doing well here, numbers are turning 
to the Lord. One of our preachers is sick. I wish 
Mr. Moore could send me a good preacher from your 
circuit for three months. But I suppose none of them 
could leave their business. Could he spare brother 
Charles Turkington ? Or could Charles come to see 
me, and help me a little, and then return home? 
How is he situated? Write to me immediately, if 
•here be any prospect in your circuit in a proper way= 

" My wife and John unite with me in much love to 
>ou all. Pray, pray, much more. 

"I am your affectionate brother in Christ Jesus, 

H Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XXXVI. 

To Mr. Sigston. 

" Sunderland, December 2, 1807. 
*My Brother Sigston, — I sit down to write to 
you what is upon my mind respecting myself, the 
church, the nation, and the world. 

" My warfare is continual; I am surrounded with 
the powers of darkness. The temptations to sloth, to 
fainting, against preaching, praying, <&c, &c, are as 
great as ever ; and I sometimes think, are much increas- 
ed. Invitations to feast, to eat and drink, are more 
numerous in this place than I have ever known them. 
A great many of the friends in superior situations, and 
naturally friendly, have a tendency to produce these 
effects. I stand in the Lord — I dwell in him. I am 
kept by the power of God. Of this T am fully assured. 
I grow, I am less. I become more ashamed and more 
dependent upon my heavenly Father. My fellowship 
with God is closer, more constant, and with stronger 
affection. I am the most grieved with my preaching-. 
14* 



162 memoir or 

it is so far short of the subject, — redemption, full sal 
vation. I tremble as much as ever ; and the modesty 
put upon my soul, makes me tremble in the presence ol 
the people. I am using every means by prayer, &c, 
to be fit to live among angels. O how pure, how holy ? 
must they be in heaven i Lord Jesus, make me to do 
thy will as those pure spirits do it above ! 

" From all the proper information I can receive, the 
Church in England, and the Methodists in particular^ 
are not decreasing in number, and perhaps not much 
increasing. But I am certain the doctrine of entire 
sanctification is upon the decline ; and if not en- 
forced will produce a declension in the work amongst 
the people. I do not see how this is to be restored 
amongst us ; because the greater part of the persons 
in authority, arising from riches, &c, are much averse 
to this in their minds. And as the number of such au- 
thorities increases, the doctrine will decrease, — and this 
from a fear of displeasing such authorities. Here the 
glory is departing, and, I fear, will depart. We have 
to pray that the number of those may be increased who 
boldly, as at the first, declare the whole counsel of God, 
If the Methodists had not had amongst them what no 
other people have had, then they had not had sin, but 
now we have no cloak for the neglect. After all this, 
we must conclude, that the most of the power of God is 
yet among them. 

" A black cloud is over Sunderland and all the sea- 
ports, yea, over England itself. Things are fast hasten- 
ing to a crisis: what that will be, is not revealed 
God only knows how far the judgment may reach, 
The revelations are now most clearly explained by 
matter of fact ; and must not those things which are 
yet to come, be accomplished 1 — Things can never con- 
tinue long as they now are. How is it that there is 
such a clamour for continued war ? — Darkness remains 
upon us. I wonder at the patience of God ! I wonder 
at the blindness of men ! 

cl I hope if you do not come over this Christmas, you 
will write me all your mind on these subjects ; and in 






MR. W. BRAMWELL. 163 

die mean time, pray, O pray; and pray for us. We 
are all in peace, but want much prosperity. The Lord 
bless you and dear Mrs. Sigston, and all the dear friends 
in Leeds ! 

u I am yours, very affectionately, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XXXVII. 
To Mr. Sigston. 

* Sunderland, April 23, 1807. 

; My Dear Sigston,— When I received your last 
I was unable to answer it, and am not yet prepared. 
A world of contusion ! the whole earth trembles. We 
are all in the dark, and yet the light of God shines upon 
this little spot, to the astonishment of thousands. I 
wonder at our continued salvation. Our God yet 
fighteth for us; and how can we account for it? The 
Spirit is received in some places, even in its depth; 
but this is through means. If the ministry is not sound, 
there is I perceive great power with God among that 
people. The preachers sometimes take the praise, 
and this may create a new establishment ; but * God will 
reward every man according to his works/ The mix- 
ture in a general way, I am confident, is increasing. 
The rich, the mighty sit upon their seats, and too fre- 
quently usurp improper- authority, which damps too 
much the living flame amongst the simple. Young 
preachers seek to gain the respect of such persons, to 
their own destruction. How to stop the torrent, is be- 
yond the wisdom of man, and (I am afraid, in the or- 
dinary way of working,) the power of God. Will any 
thing less do it than judgment, the fire, the sword, the 
plague, the army, &c, &c ? Will any thing less do 
it than the test, — ' Live to God, and die for it V 

" The stir with the Ottoman makes me conjecture 
that the time is drawing near. But this is with a few ; 
and, my Lord, what can we do? I am confident we 
can do nothing, only, l fear God, and honour the king/ 
bve all the world, and do a little in the way he hath 



164 MEMOIR OF 

appointed us, c stand still and see the salvation of God/ 
I have lately seen what I never saw before, that is, the 
great darkness and wickedness which are on all the 
continent. I am persuaded that the greatest part of 
the world is now in such a state of superstition, as has 
never been known : all sects gone, quite gone, from 
the glory ! And, excepting England and some other 
nations, the world called * Christian' is devilish, I 
want much to hear from Pontavice, who has now a 
Protestant Church in France; but I cannot write or 
receive a letter from him. What do you think ? Will 
America cast us off? Shall we stand alone among the 
nations ? What are your views ? 

" I have lately seen much into the gospel. I am 
convinced, our glory is little comparatively ; especially 
as it respects the body. We are ' the temples of the 
Holy Ghost.' I see the necessity of the greatest purity 
in the outward man. To keep the whole, requires 
constant prayer, watching, looking always at Christ. I 
mean that the soul never be diverted from him for one 
moment : but that I view him in all my acts, take hold 
of him as the instrument by which I do all my work, 
and feel that nothing is done without him. — To seek 
men, world, self, praise, is so shocking to my view at 
present, that I wonder that we are not all struck dead 
when the least of this comes upon us !* I know imme- 

* On this awful subject the following extract from the Impe- 
rial Magazine, for December, 1819, may be of service to every 
minister of the gospel. It is the substance of a remarkable 
dream related by the late Rev. R. Bowden, of Darvven, who 
committed it to writing from the lips of the person to whom the 
dream happened, on the evening of May 30th, 1813. 

THE DREAM. 
A gospel minister of evangelical principles, whose name, from 
the circumstances that occurred, it will be necessary to conceal, 
being much fatigued, at the conclusion of the afternoon service, 
retired to his apartment in order to take a little rest. He had 
not long reclined upon his couch, before he fell asleep and be- 
gan to dream. He dreamed, that on walking into his garden, 
he entered a bower that had been erected in it, where he sat 
down to read and meditate. While thus employed, he thought 
he heard some person enter the garden ; and leaving his bower. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 165 

diately when I grieve the Lord, — the Spirit speaks 
within ; and to do wrong in the great light is the great 
offence. I long to live as near as ever any did ; and 
yet I feel I have not all that Ann Cutler found. My 
soul is subject to sloth ; and 1 have work, I assure you, 
to keep all things going at full speed. But when I do 
this for one day, I see the ground I have gone over. 

how swiftly we may run even in this world. I think 

1 am as strong in body to labour as ever I was; and 
yet I find my sight fails me fast, — a loud knock at my 
door ! I am settling all my little things as much as 
possible, and long to see the other world. Go on, my 

he immediately hastened towards the spot whence the sound 
seemed to come, in order to discover who it was that had en- 
tered. He had not proceeded far, before he decerned a particu- 
lar friend of his, a gospel minister of considerable talents, who had 
rendered himself very popular, by his zealous and unwearied 
exertions in the cause of Christ. On approaching his friend 
he was surprised to find that his countenance was covered with 
a gloom, which it had not been accustomed to wear, and that it 
strongly indicated a violent agitation of mind, apparently aris- 
ing from conscious remorse. After the usual salutations had 
passed, his friend asked the eiater the time of the day ; to 
which he replied, " twenty -five minutes after four." On hear- 
ing this, the stranger said, " It is only one hour since I died, 
and now I am damned." — " Damned! for what ?" inquired the 
dreaming minister. " It is not," said he " because I have not 
preached the gospel, neither is it because I have not been ren- 
dered useful, for I have now many seals to my ministry, who 
can bear testimony to the truth as it is in Jesus, which they 
have received from my lips ; but it is because I have been ac- 
cumulating to myself the applause of men more than the hon- 
our which cometh from above : and verily I have my reward V* 
Having uttered these expressions, he hastily disappeared, and 
was seen no more. 

The minister awaking shortly afterwards A 7 ith the contents 
of this dream deepl» engraven on his memory, proceeded, over- 
whelmed with serious reflections, towards his chapel, in order 
to conduct the evening s< rvice. On his way thither he was 
accosted by a friend, who inquired whether he had heard of the 
severe loss the church had sustained in the death of that able 

minister — . He replied, " No :'* but being much affected 

at this singular intelligence, he inquired of him the day and the 
time of the day when his departure took place. To this his 
friend replied, "this afternoon, at twenty-five minutes after 
three o'clock." 



166 MEMOIR OP 

dear Sigston, go on ! Let all within you praise the Lord j 
yea, may your whole soul be given up to him ! And my 
dear Mrs. Sigston, live in all the glory of this dispensa- 
tion ! The Lord give you his great blessing, and may 
all that has ever befallen us, be found the necessary 
means of brightening our everlasting crown ! If you 
will write and say all your mind on these subjects, with 
any information respecting the world, the church, 
yourself and family, you will continue our blessed 
union in the Lord our Saviour. 

" In all commentators, I am at a loss for the depth 
of the Spirit. Can you say what man has gone fully 
into it? I think you recommended 4 Poole's Synopsis.' 
" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XXXVIII. 

To Mr. A. E. Farrar. 

" Investone, Dec. 7th, 1807. 
" My Dear Abraham, — I thank you for your let- 
ter, am glad that you are comfortable in your station* 
God is with you, and he will be with you, if you walk 
by the same rule, and mind the same things. You 
have received from the Lord how you ought to preach 
and walk before the people. To improve all your time, 
you will find it necessary, after you have done your 
work, to retire to sleep, as soon as possible, and to rise 
early. Where you cannot have your fire made, have 
your tinder box, wrap yourself well up, and you will 
find abundance of all things needful in the morning. 
Keep all the fire within. ' It is the unction,' said Mr. 
Fletcher, ' that makes the preacher.' Live in purity 
of heart. Be saved from all sin, and declare this at 
every proper season. Never be too long, even in the 
best company. You will easily find out the time to 
leave : in this you will retain your proper dignity and 
variety. Never speak evil of one place or society in 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 167 

the circuit when at another, or of any person to ano- 
ther. In observing this, you will prevent much evil to 
yourself and your labours. When you preach do not 
begin too high ; you may speak with as much force, 
and with a better cadence in the lower tone. Your voice 
will increase in strength, if you keep from the rack, 
Abraham, be a man of God, a useful preacher, bring- 
ing many souls to glory : study this, and you will ac- 
complish it. Let your end always be ' the salvation of 
men.' 

" You can have a book and write all your sermons 
before you preach them ; but do not write too much, 
neither determine to be too correct in keeping to your 
plan. Never be stiff, tiresome, &c : the English can- 
not bear this. Never be tedious; yet do not be too 
short. Let them have all from you, but c much in lit- 
tle/ Never say i my hearers,' in the pulpit : this would 
be better from the aged. All your address should be 
modest and grave, yet sweet and simple. I feel a 
strong desire that you may ever answer to all I have 
said of you, that I may never be ashamed of my confi- 
dent boasting in your behalf. 

" Do, oh do take my love, much love to every place, 
to every society and family in Holderness. The Lord 
be with them! Oh how I love them. As to the blessed 
and dear friends, who inquire in Hull and Beverly, 
&c, I long to see them all ; — it may be ' at the resur- 
rection of the just.' I am sometimes afraid lest the 
work should stop in this circuit: this may be from 
Satan ; for numbers are still saved. Pray for us, and 
write me all your mind. 

" I am your affectionate friend, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

In 1808 Liverpool became the scene of Mr. Bram- 
well's labours. From the statement in the first chapter 
of this memoir, it will be seen that some of his relatives 
resided in that town. He was received by the society 
there as an eminent minister of Christ, and soon found 
the blessed fruit of his labours in the gospel. Much 



168 MEMOIR OF 

of his state of mind, the success of his ministry, and 
his ardent desire for the salvation of his relatives and 
friends, will be learnt by a perusal of the following 
letters : — 

LETTER XXXIX. 
To his Daughter, 

"Liverpool, Oct. 15th, 1808. 

"My Dear Ann,— I received your letter. I think 
you retain a true regard for God your Saviour, and for 
your relations in the flesh. Your abiding in the truth 
gives me great joy. The loss of all things on earth is 
little, when compared with the loss of one soul. Let 
nothing hinder your proceeding. Seek the great sal- 
vation from all evil. 'The blood of Christ cleanseth 
from all sin ;' and yoij will receive the full liberty, in 
looking to God and believing his word. Live in the 
spirit of prayer. Read the word with much thought 
and care. If you get established in the will of God, 
you will find constant happiness ; it will become your 
great delight. Never imagine that you have arrived at 
the summit. No ; see God in all things, and you will 
see no end. 

" You may make progress in other things. A know- 
ledge of history is quite proper ; and, i The Universal 
History' is the book you should have. I know not how 
to send it you. I feel very desirous that you should 
practise music, and learn to play well. At the same 
time be sure to study the French. You must write to 
me soon, informing me of what you do every day, — 
what progress you make in every thing, — in salva- 
tion, &c. " Your dear father 

"Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER XL. 
To Mrs. liar greaves. 

« March 9th, 1809. 
" My Dear Sister, — I wish to give you some 
information respecting your friends in Liverpool. I 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 109 

found the society in a very low state, and left out one 
hundred in Liverpool the first quarter. The second 
quarter I joined one hundred and thirty new members, 
saw a number saved who had lost their confidence, and 
several times received in public a shaking amongst the 
people. The work has very much revived this quar- 
ter. At first I could find very few who retained the 
blessing of entire sanctification. That appeared to 
have been given up for some years ; but a number have 
lately been brought into the glorious liberty. There 
is a blessed work through the society in Gerrard-street ; 
six or eight persons have been saved at one meeting. 
Scarcely a class meets, but some of the members are 
blessed. On Saturday week, in the penitent meeting 
at Pitt-street, twelve persons were saved. Three found 
mercy at a class meeting last night. There are not so 
many returning from the world at the present, yet the 
society is made truly alive again. A few, both rich 
and poor, are awakened. Some precious women in 
rather high life, are truly saved, with whose names 
you are unacquainted. 

" Ever yours affectionately, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER XLI. 
To Mr, A. E. Farrar, 

" March 21th, 1809. 
"My Dear Abraham, — I thank you for your last 
letter : at that time you were in health, labouring with 
all your might to bring sinners to God. I am lately 
informed that you cannot continue this great work. I 
am sorry that your streng this so much decreased ; but 
am very desirous of knowing all the circumstances 
from yourself. A letter, informing me of your recove- 
ry, would be highly satisfactory. However, God, your 
heavenly Father, knows how and when to deliver. I 
am certain he loves you, and will deal with you ac- 
cordingly. He careth for you, and will pour out his 
blessing. I am confident you * will not want any man- 
15 



170 MEMOIR OF 






ner of thing that is good.' I believe your soul will rise 
above it all. 

" Now is the time to prove your affection. Now is 
the time to lay up the weight of glory. If you should 
preach again , you will have fresh matter. If you should 
preach no more, you will have your reward. The work 
of justification is great; yet the entire renewal of the 
soul in the image of God, is much greater. This full 
salvation will comfort you. Nothing but patience, say- 
ing with your Lord, ; I will drink it.' O the rest in 
God ! I congratulate you. This is your glory, l Christ 
my all !' Give up body and soul. Fear not, Abraham. 
He will be every thing that faith can make him. He 
will be this to your heart in every state. I could love 
to see you brave affliction, death, &c, &c. I think I 
do see you, I hear you saying, ' I am more than con- 
queror ! ; Amen ! The Lord be with you ! 

(i I am praying always ; nothing less will do. May 
I endure, may I increase, may I abound! 
" Yours, most sincerely, 

<{ Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER XLII. 

To Mr. Everett. 

" Liverpool, June 21, 1809. 
u My Brother Everett, — I received yours. I am 
glad, because you continue strong to labour, and God 
is with you, sending prosperity. Know your chain, and 
determine to go to its length. But also determine not 
to break it. c He knoweth whereof we are made,' and 
indeed ' we are but dust.' Be filled with the Spirit ; 
and yet the spirit will be subject to reason. Go on, my 
dear brother. I must decrease, but you will increase. 
Be a burning light for ever ; for, if ever the fire goes 
out you will be fit for nothing. 

fi Yours, affectionately, 

" William Bramwell. " 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 171 



LETTER XLIII. 

To Mr. Sigston. 

" Liverpool, Jane, 1809. 
* ; My Dear Brother Sigston, — I received yours. 
Mrs. Pawson left this world with the truth in her mouth. 
How we shall return to our sanctification, is another 
matter. I have some doubt concerning it. It must 
begin with us ; and I fear we shall not begin. That 
it is gone in a great degree from the pulpit, the Maga- 
zine, from Christian meetings, is evident. I should 
love to have a conversation with you on this subject. I 
never was more concerned. I never preached with so 
much power. I never wept and entreated so much, and 
I never saw less general effect in that way. Yet some 
scores have lately received it : numbers are at the pool 
side, and we have had much conviction, and some 
showers of blessings. 

■ y "An idea is going forth, that ■ when we are justified 
we are entirely sanctified,' and ■ to feel evil nature after 
justification, is to lose pardon,' &c. You may depend 
upon it, this is the devil's great gun. We shall have 
much trouble with this, and I am afraid we cannot sup- 
press it. I have felt a strong desire for you and Mrs. 
Sigston to come here this summer ; but if you are call- 
ed another way, I submit. 

" I remain your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER XLIV. 

To Miss Brew. 

" St. Helens, July 5th, 1809. 
V My Dear Miss Brew, — I received yours, which 
was a comfort to me. I rejoice on your account. You 
are kept by the power of God. It is by faith we stand. 
I believe you have received the forgiveness of sins. It 
is an unspeakable blessing to have this, and to know it. 



172 



MEMOIR OF 



In this you will not rest ; for, in reading the word of 
God, you will find ' great and precious promises.' They 
are all yours, for you are Christ's. ' All things are 
yours.' Shall any thing prevent or hinder you 7 Can 
Satan persuade 1 Has not God performed his word 1 
And will he not give you all things ? To hunger, to 
thirst, to pray, to plead, is your act : and this through 
Divine power. Will not God undertake your cause and 
give you full salvation ? Fear not. You will find the 
cleansing blood, you will receive the mind of Christ, 
and all through faith. O for this mighty faith that 
brings the blessing ! When you receive this you will 
be less than ever. You will feel your nothingness, but 
your all from God and in God. The sacrifice being 
complete, the soul will be completely changed into the 
image of God. You will then .* bear all things, believe 
all things, hope all things, and endure all things.' I 
want you to be devoted to God. You cannot yet know 
for what end God hath made you so happy : I say so 
Aezppy,— for, '■ what hath the world to equal this ? You 
may now answer the end of your creation, of redemp- 
tion, of the death of Christ, and the descent of the eves 
blessed Spirit ! You may now offer up strong cries and 
tears for your relations. You may now drop a word for 
the Son of God. You may prevent the everlasting 
ruin of some. You may increase the glory of num- 
bers! 

" O see your call. It is of great importance. My 
advice is, that you reject every thing at the present 
that would in the l$ast degree draw you from the love 
of God. Keep your centre ; never be diverted, never 
wander, mourn if ever you lose sight of him. Rejoice 
in a constant view of him. What shall we be in a short 
time ? I am lost in astonishment. I see the glory be- 
yond all thought ; ' we shall see Him as he is.' This 
will consist in our being like Him. This c recompense 
of reward' is now known to thousands ; and what are 
all their former sorrows now ? What are all their tempt- 
ations? What is persecution now? O ! I am 'lost in 
wonder, love, and praise.' My dear Miss Brew, never 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 173 

shrink from the cross, never be ashamed. Proclaim 
4he Lamb of God. Hear him, * Father, I will that 
those whom thou hast given me be with me where I 
am.' Is it not enough, quite enough to be with him 
and to behold his glory ? Let us be ready to take our 
flight, be crucified to the world, to be dead whilst we 
live. I should be glad to see you soon, if the Lord 
will, but his will be done ! If you are in your place God 
will be with you, and you will see the cloud, and know 
when to move. Pray, O pray much. Let your heart 
be given up in this duty. A light shall shine upon 
your path. Do not live as most persons do ; be not 
almost, but altogether a Christian. The Lord bless 
and direct you in all things ! and may I always have 
to rejoice on your account ! 

" I am yours affectionately, 

" Wm. BrAMWELL." , 



LETTER XLV. 
To Mrs. Har greaves. 

" Liverpool, 1809. 

" My Dear Sister, — We are sorry to find from 
Betty Gott's letter that you are much worse than usual. 
The mystery will shortly be unveiled, and you will see 
God. In the mean time it must be the great labour of 
faith which can support and bear you up in such cir- 
cumstances ; but God is yet able to bring you through. 
I frequently think that your everlasting crown will 
shine superior to thousands, who have not so suffered. 
O that I could in the least relieve you ! But what are 
wishes, or desires, or tears, for one in agony of pain ? 
The Lord Jesus stands before you, and shows himself 
in blood. Nothing but the viewing of him, can give 
the least consolation. Salvation is near; though it 
tarry, wait for it. It will come, it will not tarry. God 
hears your groanings, and will come down and deliver 
you. 

" On Sunday evening, (a beautiful sight !) I met 
about thirty of the Sunday scholars, who have a blessed 

15* 



174 MEMOIR OF 

work upon their minds. Twelve young men have 
found peace. A great work among them. I hope 
they will be kept. The Lord be with them ! 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm, Bramwell." 



LETTER XLVI. 
To Mr. Preston. 

" Liverpool, 1809. 

''Mr Dear Brother,- — In writing to you I fine! 
it on my mind to declare the great love of God out 
Saviour. Nothing produces such union of souls, such 
pity for sinners, such warmth of affection towards the 
church. The love of Christ is my study ; but I am 
frequently at a loss to understand how it is that my 
love to him is so little. I am sometimes ready to stum- 
ble at myself on this account. - Am I right ? Can I be 
right in this little love ? Could I die for thee ? Could I 
suffer long, and still love with a passion like thine ? I 
cry to God daily, hourly, constantly, to receive a thou- 
sand times more love. I must give myself away ; for 
the sacrifice was consumed. I too must be consumed 
self must be consumed, all the man must be consumed. 
And yet I must live.' Thus to lose myself in him, I 
find is my glory. Then nothing but Christ, in thought, 
word, preaching, and praying, &,c, &c. All the Son 
of God! His mind, his way, his work, his manner! To 
this I am coming, I ana near. I am just going into my. 
Lord. Here the noise of self, of the world, and of the 
devil, is over. All is burning, all is rest, yet all is calm 
within. The eye fixed, the soul established, the tongue 
loosed, and all in the Spirit! Here the Lord teaches, 
the Lord governs, and the Lord continually supplies. 

" This is salvation, and the salvation belonging to 
all believers. This is the glorious liberty of the chil- 
dren of God. This is for you ; and I pray that you 
may never rest satisfied without it. Amen ! The rea- 
son why the Methodists in general do not live in this 
Salvation, there is too much sleep, too much meat and 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 175 

drink, too little fasting and self denial, too much con- 
versation with the world, too much preaching and hear- 
ing, and too little self examination and prayer. A num- 
ber of Methodists now will be in public the whole of 
the sabbath ; and if they heard angels all the time they 
would be backsliders. It is astonishing how the devil 
is cheating us, and at the same time filling for a mo- 
ment our heads, and emptying our hearts. Good God ! 
what shall we do ? How shall we return ? Is it possible 
to bring the body back by the same way or into the 
same way? I fear not. I sometimes nearly lose my 
hope. In all churches till the present time, Satan has 
used outward splendour to darken the inward glory. Is 
it too late to see, to know, to understand the tempta- 
tions of the devil ? 

" My dear Preston, consider these things. Stand 
and look around. Do not condemn, but pity. Do not 
destroy, but heal. Do not drive, but draw. If possi- 
ble, live in all the union, the power, the salvation. 
Watch, keep your body under, mortify, slay, crucify ! 
Be a man of God, rjever go to bed late, always rise at 
four if possible, not lying in bed above six hours. Give 
a good account ; stand before the Son of man. O the 
glory *of bringing all things to the judgment seat ! This 
would cure us of sloth and every thing else. Deter- 
mine. Let me hear from you, and of you ; yea, let 
me hear that you live with God, walk with God. Keep 
from every thing wild, every thing that goes before the 
Spirit. Take God with you, but never hang behind. 
Keep up and abound, ' increase with the increase of God.' 

" I have had some blessed showers lately ; numbers 
saved in the meetings ; distress amongst many in the 
extreme, I mean in temporal things. What will the 
end be ? The powers of heaven are shaken. The in- 
quisition, feudal system, nunneries, devil, coming down ! 
Glory ! Glory ! Christ will come ! He will reign tri- 
umphant. We may see it when we are in heaven, if 
not before. 

" O pray for me ! God bless you* My love to dear 



176 MEMOIR OF 

Mrs. Preston. My wife, after being a month in the 
fever, is recovering. 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

"Wm. Bramwell.' 



LETTER XLVII. 

To his Daughter. 

" Liverpool, May 2, 1810. 
f * My Dear Ann, — I now find you much on my 
mind ; and I have a desire to see you. In this I must 
endeavour to feel the most perfect resignation. In this 
world we must suffer ; and the absence which is ne- 
cessary for our well being on earth, is certainly one 
part of this suffering. You have one that loves you 
with that regard which is far beyond all my affection ; 
and he will ever watch over you for your salvation. 
Evil spirits, an evil world, with all around you, will not 
be able to ensnare so long as you live in fellowship with 
your God. Let all things be done with a pure design 
for his glory. Keep your soul in that sweet calm in 
him. Watch to please your Lord in all things. Be 
Mary, have Mary's heart, receive of Christ's teaching, 
and increase in all those heavenly tempers every day. 
I long to see you eminent for holiness, for the divine 
life, receiving the image of your God, and speaking for 
your heavenly Master in every action. I am persuaded 
a work is before you ; and, if all diligence is given, if 
every mean is used, if faith is in constant exercise, if 
hope prevails, if your soul is fixed on heaven, you will be 
ready for all the will of God. ' One thing is needful/ 
which is continual prayer. All will fail unless you la- 
bour in this way. Let the times be as frequent as possi- 
ble, and the manner as fervent as possible. Full of ex- 
pectation, look for the promise, and believe for the bless- 
ing. Be mighty in this duty. You will be strongly tempt- 
ed to neglect prayer. Satan can continue his authority 
with all persons who do not give themselves to prayer 
1 Arm'd with all thy might, I cry to thee ; 
In this I shall receive the victory,' 






MR. W. BRAMWELL. 177 

Fear not, Ann ! Your Lord hath bought all the glory : 
and I hope you will claim your part in the first resur- 
rection. O that you may ever be an ornament to the 
gospel of God ! I am your affectionate father, 

' ( Wm. Bramwell." 
c< P. S. Can you read a chapter in Hebrew, yet not 
forgetting your French ! M 



CHAPTER XII. 

Mr. Bramwell's appointment a second time to Sheffield — His 
conduct and ministerial success — Remarkable anecdote — 
Letters — His second appointment to Birstal— His usefulness 
in that circuit — Letters. 

One of Mr. Bramwell's particular friends gives the 
following account of his second appointment to the 
Sheffield circuit : 

"In the year 1810, after an absence of twelve years, 
by the very earnest request of the people, the confer- 
ence sent Mr. Bramwell a second time to Sheffield. 
Many of his old friends and fellow helpers, in the for- 
mer revival, had put off their harness, and were taken 
to their eternal reward. One of his intimate surviving 
friends told him, that ' he was come to perform the last 
office of friendship, to commit his mortal remains to the 
grave, and to improve the circumstances of his life and 
death to the living.'* 

" When Mr. B. resided first in Sheffield he was a 
junior preacher, although his colleagues laboured with 
him in the bond of Christian fellowship : but now he 
was appointed as the superintendent, and in that office 
we will first consider him. 

" In the commencement of his work he openly avow- 
ed that he ' was determined to know nothing among us 
but Christ, and him crucified. ' ' None/ he said, ' would 
be permitted to inform him privately of dissensions 

• We refer to the late Mr. Longden ; the event accorded with 
this presentiment. The sermon which Mr. Bramwell preached 
on the occasion, was published in the large edition of the Mf; 
moirsof Mr. L. 



178 MEMOIR OP 

among brethren, but that he would always have the 
accuser and the accused face to face, and that he would 
neither condemn a .man, nor form an opinion upon any 
case, before the individual whom it concerned had an- 
swered for himself.' 

" Where a superintendent has to preside in a large 
circuit, he will often have to exercise all his wisdom, 
firmness, and forbearance. In the present imperfect 
state of our knowledge, and the shallowness of the hu- 
man comprehension, there will be a difference of opin- 
ion : and even good men, desiring to promote what 
they believe will be for the glory of God, and the good 
of his church, are in danger of being carried too far 
by inordinate warmth of feeling and expression. On 
such occasions, with what mild authority, as an angel 
of the church among us, have we seen Mr. Bramwell 
quell the rising of evil, and reconcile what appeared 
contradictory to those of more limited views ! He was 
able to manage the whole vessel with apparent ease. 
In preachers' and leaders' meetings, &c, he would 
kindly interrupt any circumlocution; while he gave to 
all a patient hearing, he facilitated the business ; and, 
in conclusion, recapitulating the whole, he showed the 
strength or weakness of the different arguments, and 
left the decision to the majority of the meeting. 

" One great object, which he always kept before him, 
was economy in the public expenditure. He would 
submit to any privation, rather than see the stewards 
burdened with a weight of debt ; nor would he permit 
an increase of expenses, without the probability of 
obtaining a supply of sufficient funds. Our stewards 
were in advance when he came into the circuit : under 
his direction the debt was liquidated, and he left our 
finances in prosperity. The same principles were 
extended to the building of chapels. Before a chapel 
was erected, he first considered the magnitude of the 
population in that vicinity, the present state of the work, 
the existing inconvenience of the worshippers, the 
efforts of the people to raise a sufficient subscription 
among themselves, and the probable help they would 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 1T9 

want from others. If all these concurred, it then ap- 
peared that the Lord designed a house to be built for 
himself, in which his great name might be recorded. 

""When our societies, under Mr. BramwelFs super- 
intendence, saw that he would not permit improper ap- 
peals of private or public charity to be made, they libe- 
rally supported those plans which he patronized, rallied 
around him with Christian philanthropy, and tasted the 
blessedness of doing and receiving good. This trans- 
forming, uniting principle, amalgamated all into one 
effort and enjoyment. 

H We beheld him as a minister, and an exemplary 
man of God, matured by increase of days, — shorn, it is 
true, of some of his masculine vigour ; yet he continued 
to hold a meeting for prayer, every morning at five, 
where many souls were quickened and saved. He had, 
if possible, greater importunity and power in prayer, 
with a richer variety of expression. As an instrument 
of the salvation of thousands of immortal spirits, he had 
become venerable. The peculiar answers of his pray- 
ers for individuals in afflictive circumstances, can only 
be revealed when the secrets of the heart will be brought 
into judgment. The dissensions which he found among 
us, vanished as we profited by his ministry, and drunk 
into his spirit. The selfish contraction of the heart, 
was expanded by his benign influence, and we became 
as members of one family, sitting under the same vine 
and fig tree, none daring to interrupt our sacred peace 
and growing prosperity. 

" He unceasingly pressed upon his hearers the ne- 
cessity of Christian holiness, and so preached this doc- 
trine as to manifest he was himself habitually ground- 
ed and settled in the experience of it. He raised the 
standard of Christian experience as high as the Scrip- 
tures do, and yet placed it within the reach of every justi- 
fied person. He gave believers no rest till they sought 
with all the heart to be fully saved from sin, knowing 
that we are in danger of counting our steps back again, 
if we do not * press towards the mark for the prize of 
our high calling.' ' The reason/ he said, ' why many 



180 MEMOIR OF 

seek to be saved from the remains of the carnal mind, 
and do not obtain the blessing, is, because they have 
secretly backslidden, and have forfeited the Divine fa- 
vour. If they were correctly acquainted with their own 
state, they would first seek to be justified by faith in 
Christ Jesus.' 

" He faithfully admonished his hearers, that, con- 
formity to the world, and inordinate love of riches, open 
avenues to a thousand snares, and are the great bane 
of Christian simplicity and holiness; that this is not a 
state of rest, but of labour ; not of indulgence, but of 
self denial ; and that these are sure marks of disciple- 
ship, if they spring from faith which worketh by love. 
His conversation was in heaven, from whence he look- 
ed continually for the Saviour. He often expressed his 
wonder respecting the joys and the employments of the 
saints in light. He frequently said respecting them, 
in familiar conversation, ' What are they doing, think 
you 1 How T long to be with them ! To quit the bur- 
den of mortality, and, glorious as the sun, quick as 
thought, pass from world to world, and sphere to 
sphere.' No sudden alarm, no picturesque scenery, 
no political news, no worldly conversation, interrupted 
one moment his union. He breathed, and lived, in 
Christ, in God. 

" Under the gift of such a ministry, our congrega- 
tions waited for the word of life, and the brethren were 
€ striving together, till we should all come in the unity 
of the faith, and the knowledge of the Son of God, un- 
to perfect men, unto the measure of the stature of the 
fulness of Christ: that we should henceforth be no 
more children, but speaking the truth in love, might 
grow up into him in all things which is the head, even 
Christ ; from whom the whole body fitly joined together 
by that which every joint supplieth, maketh increase 
of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love.' " 

While Mr. Bramwell was in this circuit, the follow- 
ing occurrence took place, which is related by the per- 
son that was the subject of it, Mr. Thomas Riley, one 
of the many serious among our soldierv, and who is at 



MR. \V. BRAMWELL. 181 

present sergeant-major in the 7th dragoon guards- 
It is an additional confirmation of his power with Is- 
rael's God. 

" In the month of July, 1811, I was quartered in 
Sheffield ; at which time our regiment was ordered for 
Spain, then the seat of a protracted and sanguinary 
war. My mind w r as painfully exercised with the 
thoughts of leaving my dear wife and four helpless chil- 
dren in a strange country, unprotected and unprovided 
for. Mr. Bramwell felt a very lively interest in our 
situation ; and his sympathizing spirit seemed to drink 
into all the agonizing feelings of my tender wife upon 
the occasion. He supplicated the throne of grace day 
and night, in our behalf. My wife and I spent the 
evening, previous to our march, at a friend's house in 
company with Mr. Bramwell, who sat in a very pensive 
mood, and appeared to be engaged in a spiritual strug- 
gle all the time, until shortly after supper he suddenly 
pulled his hand out of his bosom, laid it on my knee, 
looked me in the face, and said, • Brother Riley, mark 
what I am about to say ; you are not to go to Spain. 
Remember, I tell you, you are not : for I have been 
wrestling with God on your behalf, and when my heav- 
enly Father condescends in mercy to bless me with 
power to lay hold on himself, I do not easily let him 
go ; no, not until I am favoured with an answer. 
Therefore, you may depend upon it, that the next time 
I hear from yon. you will be settled in quarters.' This 
came to pass exactly as he said ; for on our march the 
next day I was informed that the regiment was coun- 
termanded ; and when we got to our quarters, at Chi- 
chester in Sussex, I wrote to him with a grateful heart, 
informing him that his prediction had received its ac- 
complishment, as our regiment was not to go to Spain. 

" The above is a simple statement of a fact which 
could still be attested by more than one witness, and 
is an additional proof of the active faith which he ex- 
ercised in the promises of Jesus, who hath said, 'AH 
things are possible unto him that believeth.' " 

Several of Mr. Bramwell's letters from this place,, 
16 



182 MEMOIR OF 

show his heavenly conversation, and his earnest desire 
to join the spirits of just men made perfect. 



LETTER XLVIII. 
To Ms Daughter. 

"Sheffield, 1811. 

"My Dear Ann, — I purposed seeing you this 
week, when I went into the circuit, but have been 
prevented, as I had nearly lost my voice, but am now- 
much better. I think it would not be well for you to 
go to M — — at this time ; unless you have got strong 
faith, and very often retire from company to pray. I 
know it will be injurious to your soul, and to your im- 
provement in all you have received. Your being an 
eminent Christian, lies near my heart. You are al- 
most continually on my mind. I want you to be in the 
closest union with your Lord, always to sit at his feet. 
Strive to get quite above a light spirit. You know that 
the Spirit of the Lord is a happy Spirit ; but it is a qui- 
et, serious Spirit. If you leave the family several times 
in the forenoon, also in the afternoon, you will accom- 
plish all I want. I have some hope that Mr. Longden 
will recover ; but, you say, it is not the general opin- 
ion. Well ! he is happy in God. It matters not when 
we remove, if we be ready ; and for this I am striving 
more than ever. Nothing can satisfy, but the being 
admitted among the first orders in glory. I have had 
striking views of that blessed state,— it is all my desire, 
I long to be with them. We shall be together for ever. 

"O pray! pray! This is your season, — a glorious 
harvest ! Put in your sickle and reap much — much is 
promised. Live, oh live ! Be a woman of God. Be a 
striver : learn that blessed track ; it is only such who 
enter in. Make this your daily work ; and ' work it 
out with fear and trembling.' . Dear Ann, do all God's 
will. I hope you are growing in grace. I pray that 
you may. To receive the pardon of your sins, is a 
great blessing, but too many rest in sins forgiven. I 



MR. \V. BRAMWELL. 183 

Want to receive all the salvation from sin, to live in 
constant union with God, to be all love ; and this you 
will receive in prayer. Plead with God ; again I say, 
' strive to enter in ;' all the mercy of God will be given. 
Learn all you can in every way. Study Christ Jesus. 
" Your affectionate father, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LEtTER XLIX. 
To his Daughter. 

" Sheffield, March, 1811. 

" My Dear Ann, — You are now entered upon ano- 
ther station in life. I suppose that you imagined your 
former state called you to make some appearance, 
which was connected with your standing. In this I 
have always thought you were mistaken. However, on 
your leaving the school, even in your own idea, there 
is no farther plea. I, therefore, as your most affection- 
ate father, wish you by every means to consider how 
you may in the greatest degree ornament your profes- 
sion. You are the daughter of a Mpthndist preacher; 
you see my station. You are a child of God, a follower 
of your Saviour. You will be noticed by all ; all will 
watch, and you should expect it. 

" In the first place, let all your manners be open, 
free, kind to all , yet modest, serious, without the least 
gloom. Let your clothes be quite plain, — bonnet, 
gown, shoes, every thing you have. But let them be 
always clean and good. Though dress is not religion, 
yet plainness is becoming. A well dressed Quaker 
appears to me to be near a pattern. I wish you to be 
such, and not to hesitate for one moment ; but, with- 
out saying a word to any one, determine in God to do 
so. I believe you will, and I shall rejoice. The greater 
the cross, the greater the glory. 

" Again I wish you to improve your mind in proper 
books, to study the Scriptures in Hebrew, to read some 
$art of the French Testament every day, and never to 



184 MEMOIR OF 

be much in company,, except when you read to others , 
or are at some proper work. Study geography, and 
read biography. Let your times be fixed for private 
prayer, — say twice in the forenoon, and twice in the 
afternoon. Always see your next blessing, by reading 
the word ; and gain some ground every day. At cer- 
tain times visit the sick, and pray with them. Break 
through in this, and you will find great consolation : 
you will feel for them. I pray for you every day, that 
you may possess these virtues, and be all I desire> 
May your heavenly Father give you every blessing ! I 
shall expect you to see us, as I have written ; and we 
shall have great joy of you in Christ Jesus. 
" Your dear father, 

" Wm. Bramwell. ;: 



LETTER L. 
To his Son. 

" Sheffield, May 13, 1811. 

" My Dear John, — Your last letter has greatly en- 
deared you to me ; for I must love you still more from 
the slightest confidence that you wHl love God. I 
esteem the things of time as nothing, when compared 
with everlasting glory ; and wonder at man, (poor 
man !) who is but the creature of a moment, and yet so 
bent on ruin ! so difficult to be persuaded ! so hard to 
be moved to seek for salvation ! Happy ! truly happy 
are they who live to him who died for them ! This dis- 
turbs no study, no learning, no proper labour : on the 
contrary, it fits and prepares the mind for every thing 
in life or in death. I am most truly waiting for my 
change. The anticipation of that glory which is to be 
revealed, ravishes my soul : and from the persuasion 
that I shall have you with me, I am eaten up with joy. 
I think I perceive how you are prevented : you expect 
the end without the means. 

" When I saw my need of Christ, I believed (as you 
do) that I must be saved, and that none but God could 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 185. 

save me. But I found I possessed a degree of power 
to ask and to pray ; and I exercised that power, pray- 
ing for salvation repeatedly during the day. Though 
I sometimes felt but little, yet I continued to beg ac- 
cording to the Scriptures, ■ Ask, and ye shall receive ; 
seek, and ye shall find ' The Lord drew my mind to 
converse with his people, to ask them to pray for, and 
to reprove me, to correct and to search me. This I 
found to be of great service, and I still see that this is 
the way of God with man. Use all the means of grace, 
for they can do no harm, but, under God, will produce 
the effect. Feel for the church ; and you will soon be 
drawn to act in some little way for the glory of him 
who gave himself for you. If man be alive to tempo- 
ral things, how much more should he be alive to the 
work of his salvation ! and '' to strive' is the command- 
ment. " Your dear father, 

4< Wm, Bramwell." 



LETTER LI. 
To his Daughter. 

" Sheffield, March 4, 1812. 

i; My Dear Ann, — c All things are of God ;' and it- 
is the duty of a creature to sink into his will. A Chris- 
tian, a friend, a man of God, has left us. Thousands 
attended his funeral. I never saw such a crowd on 
any similar occasion. Such solemnity remains upon 
us, as lays us in the dust. I often say, ' Let me die 
with him.' Soon, yea, very soon, we shall meet again. 
The family are much, but very properly, affected. It 
will, 1 trust, produce much greater salvation. I feel as 
if I could do nothing but pray : in this I am saved, and 
shall ever be saved through my God. What is earth 1 
All nothing, when compared with Him ! One proper 
view of glory eclipses the whole. 

"Live, my dear Ann, live! May your life be devo- 
tion ! may it be entire salvation ! I thank you for your 
being so particular in your news ; this is what I like ; 

16* 



186 MEMOIR OP 

only just say in every letter your state of mind, which 
Is to me all. " Your affectionate father, 

" Wm. Bramwell.' ; 

LETTER Lit 

To Mr. Sigston. 

" Sheffield, March, 1812. 
" My Dear Brother,^— The changes in this world 
greatly affect me. I am more than ever astonished ai 
the forbearance of God. I have seen numbers lately 
who have never submitted until the hand of God wa* 
upon them : but in their extremity they have called 
upon him, and he has saved them. Surely in the next 
world, the different degrees of glory will be beyond 
all we can now conceive. I am so fully convinced of 
this, that I am striving every day to secure as far as 
possible, the first degree of glory. O how my soul is 
moved to labour for this ! Mr. Longden's death has 
been of much good to many, and I believe the fruit 
will be found after many days. He made a blessed 
end. " Yours affectionately, 

'"Wm. Bramwell." 






LETTER LIII. 

To his Daughter. 

" Sheffield, June 3, 1812. 
"My Dear Ann, — I hope the family and yourself 
continue in all proper exercise for the benefit of body 
and mind, because time appears to me exceedingly 
short. Our removals excite in me some keen feelings 
for children, relations, and particular friends. It mat- 
ters not in what place upon this earth we stand. The 
Lord is always in every place, waiting to comfort his 
people, and to make his disciples holy and happy in 
himself. He wills, that we should as soon as possible 
learn that lesson,-— to live independent, to dwell in God, 
and God in us; and this union to complete our joy 
in this world and to raise us to glory everlasting, 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 187 

The company of angels, in our state of probation, 
would not alone be sufficient ; much less the company 
of the nearest friends, without having Christ Jesus as 
our constant companion. To resolve upon private as 
well as public devotion, must be the conduct of God's 
children ; and by close examination of the influence of 
the Spirit, you will soon find the possibility of coming 
to understand, in all friendly intercourse, when the 
call is to private meditation and prayer. You know, 
my dear Ann, what I want concerning this, — that you 
should answer the end of creation, redemption, the call 
of the Spirit and the means of grace ; and this by a 
life of devotion, giving up yourself to a striving, to an 
agony, to that labour in Christ Jesus which will pro- 
duce the image of God, the perfect love, the perfect 
separation from all things which are not in the life of 
union with your Redeemer. 

" To be singular, will be at the first your fear ; but 
look at your Lord, read his practice frequently in the 
New Testament, and consider how singular he was, 
and without the least fear of a frowning world. What 
is my duty ? this is the point, without the least regard 
to consequences. For this reason, retire from every 
company, however friendly, a number of times in the 
day. Mind not what looks or words you receive; stay 
in no place where you cannot do this. Go to no par- 
ties, without first knowing the persons, and what is 
likely to take place. Claim your liberty, by never con- 
senting contrary to sound judgment. Let nothing hin- 
der the full salvation. Read what I have been preach- 
ing from, several times lately, Phil, iii, 10, 11, 12. 
Look well into it, and make every purpose or promise 
your own. You are never in greater danger than when 
there is the form without the power ; ' from such turn 
away.' 

" Make great improvement in the divine life at the 
bridge. Every thing in the house I hope will forward 
the work of your salvation. You will, most likely, have 
shortly to enter into public life. Take care to lay up 
a stock, and let nothing be wasted. Give a good ac- 



188 MEMOIR OP 

count to me and to God. We shall have to stand to* 
gether in judgment. I shall be closely examined as to 
my conduct towards you, and you on the ground of re- 
ceiving instruction. It is a day at which I often look. 
O the change of views by all the world ! The torment, 
the glory ! Stand by me here, and stand with me then 
and for ever. Have all things ready; receive every 
purchased blessing. ' Pray without ceasing, and in 
every thing give thanks.' The Lord write the above 
upon your heart and bless you in all things. Live, O 
live, till I meet you above ! ' I am ready to be offered 
up, and the time of my departure is at hand.' Pray 
for your father ; pray for the church ; pray for the 
world. Plead, O plead with God, and say, ' I will not 
let thee go.' 

i( I am your affectionate father, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

At the conference held in Leeds, in 1812, the friends 
in the Nottingham and Birstal circuits wished to enjoy 
the labours of Mr. Bramwell, and as both parties were 
very urgent, it was determined to take the sense of 
conference on the subject, when a majority decided in 
favour of Birstal. 

The societies, both in the town and in the circuit, 
were at that time in a very low state. On the first Sun- 
day that he preached in Birstal, he met the society, 
and observed, that " slow singing, long prayers, long 
meetings, and late attendance on the ordinances, were 
indubitable marks of a low state of grace." Pie reconw 
mended them to be in their meetings precisely at the 
time appointed, to be brief in singing and prayer, and 
in general to close the meetings at the expiration of one 
hour. He also observed that he would neither speak 
evil, nor hear it, concerning any one ; and if any per- 
son attempted to act in such a disingenuous manner, 
he would instantly stop him, and expose his conduct to 
the persons concerned. He told them, that it was his 
regular plan to remain all night in the different places 
of the circuit to which fie went to preach, and hoped 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 189 

the friends would accommodate him with a bed; if it 
was a poor one he could sleep upon it, as he wished to 
see the members in the circuit. But knowing the in- 
efficacy of the best concerted schemes without the Di- 
vine blessing, he added, that all this would not avail 
without constant, fervent prayer ; and many will long 
remember the arguments which he then used to pre- 
vail upon the people to unite with him in this import- 
ant work. He said with an energy and feeling pecu- 
liar to himself, M I know a man that on the bended 
knees of his body prays for Birstal thirteen times a day. 
sometimes for hours together!" 

His next step was to regulate the band meetings. 
According to rule, he would admit none who did not 
enjoy justification by faith ; and to those who professed 
this and applied, he gave band tickets, recommending 
at the same time to every member of the public band 
to meet in private band, and to seek the blessing of 
entire sanctification. The leaders in Birstal had been 
met once every fortnight, but he determined to meet 
them once a week, and kept a list of their names. In 
every part of the circuit, after preaching on the week 
nights, he examined the class papers, and inquired after 
the absentees. There was a special examination of 
the leaders once a year, when he asked the following 
questions : 

First. — Are you in debt 1 

Second. — Do you enjoy a clear sense of your accept- 
ance' with God ? 

Third. — And are you wholly sanctified ? 

Fourth. — Are you punctual to the time of beginning, 
whether the members are present or not ? 

Fifth. — Do you conclude in an hour ? 

Sixth. — Do you attend to family prayer, morning and 
evening ? 

When he came, several of the leaders met two class- 
es ; where this was the case he appointed proper per- 
sons to take one of them, observing that no leader 
could properly watch over more than one class. When 
the Spirit of the Lord was poured out, (which was the 



190 MEMOIR OF 

Case soon after his arrival,) and the classes increased 
in number, he divided them and appointed other lead- 
ers, observing that twenty souls were as many as any 
one person could attend to. He had a quantity of class 
papers printed, with the following rules at the bottom. 

First. — That every leader meet his own class, ex- 
cept in case of urgent necessity. 

Second. — That he be punctual to the time of his 
meeting. 

Third. — To sing not more than two verses at the 
beginning. 

Fourth. — To be brief in prayer, and particularly to 
confine his petitions for those present. 

Fifth. — That several persons be asked to pray at 
the conclusion. 

Sixth. — That the meeting conclude in an hour. 

Seventh. — That the absentees be noted down, and 
visited by the leader in the course of the week. 

Eighth. — That the leader be zealous in speaking to 
persons who come under the word. 

Ninth. — That every leader labour to enjoy the bless- 
ing of entire sanctification, as a good qualification for 
his office. 

If any of the classes were in a low state, he privacy 
spoke to some of the most lively leaders to visit them. 

This man of God, having thus taken every neces- 
sary step, and having engaged his colleagues, the lead- 
ers, and the members, together with himself, in ear- 
nest prayer to God for a revival, the Spirit of the Lord 
was soon poured out, especially at Birstal and Gomer- 
sall. Many were brought out of darkness into marvel- 
lous light; so that at the Christmas day love feast. 
1812, he gave notice that on the following day the new 
members should be publicly admitted at the chapel 
in Birstal ; when a most pleasing sight was presented 
to the congregation,— about fifty converts, chiefly young 
persons, sat round the front of the gallery, to whom he 
read the rules of the society, asked them questions re- 
specting the time and the manner of their conviction 
or conversion to God, and, after having put the motion 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 191 

respecting their subscribing to the rules, he gave to 
each of them a copy with suitable advice, and conclud- 
ed the service with solemn prayer. 

In one of the local preachers' meetings, he asked 
every preacher his Christian experience, when he ad- 
vised every man to speak and hear evil of no one : this 
counsel they all promised to follow. At the Easter 
Sunday love feast, 1S13, the Spirit of the Lord was 
abundantly poured out, and many felt his saving power. 
Six or seven stood up successively to speak. Some 
declared they had received the pardon of sin ; others, 
entire sanctification ; and many more were afterwards 
found who had received the same blessing. 

Towards the close of his second year, he had a se- 
vere attack of the rheumatic fever. His illness com- 
menced on the Saturday. Being unwilling to omit his 
appointment on the Sunday, though he could neither 
mount his horse nor dismount without assistance, he 
went and preached at Cleckheaton. Not being able 
to ride home, he went to Mr. Pearson's of Gomersall, 
and remained there eight or nine days. His pain was 
v6ry severe, but he bore it as a man of God, and was 
never heard to complain. He frequently said, " Glory 
be to God ! This is better than hell fire!" He con- 
stantly and fervently prayed with the family three 
times a day; and when he was so ill that he could not 
bear to be out of bed, he still continued his delightful 
exercise of prayer. 

One evening when he was very sick, he fell out of 
his chair upon the floor. There happened to be only 
one person in the room attending on him, who imme- 
diately attempted to lift him up, but, not being able, 
exclaimed, " Oh Mr-. Bramwell, what must I do V 
As soon as he was able, he replied, " Pray ! That 
always brings me out on the right side.'*' Prayer was 
accordingly made, in which he fervently joined. Hav- 
ing at length been raised with difficulty upon the bed, 
he pleasantly observed, " Continue to pray ; we shall 
never sink while engaged in that exercise." 

During this affliction, the friends were engaged in 



192 MEMOIR OF 

almost incessant supplication for his recovery. Two 
of the preachers were going to see him one afternoon 
during his indisposition, and hearing some persons 
engaged in prayer in a house near the road, they asked 
a by-stander if there was a prayer meeting at that place, 
who replied, " Mr. Bram well, our good preacher, is ill, 
and they are praying for his recovery." 

As long as he remained in this circuit, his conduct 
was truly exemplary. He used every possible exertion 
to promote the welfare of the church and of the world* 
The Lord was pleased to crown his labours with abun- 
dant success ; for at the expiration of the second year, 
it appeared that about five hundred had been added to 
the society. 

We subjoin only two letters written from Birstal, 
which show the sweetness of his communion with God, 
and his zeal for the Divine glory. 

LETTER LIV. 
To Ids Son. 

" Birstal, August 20, 1812. 

" My Dear John, — T am more than ever persuaded 
of the necessity of being at all times ready for that 
* eternal weight of glory.' I have lately had a most 
blessed view of the 'world to come.' All things are 
dross when compared with Christ, and the glory of his 
kingdom. I hunger! I thirst! I pray; and with all 
my heart dedicate my soul to God. 

" The world is in a strange state, as it appears to 
many. I see the Almighty going forth in his judg- 
ments ; and there will be an end, but not yjet. I do 
not expect to see it in my days. In this I may be mis- 
taken ; but there are many huge mountains to be re- 
moved, and none but God can accomplish the work. 
This he will do in his own way ; and who can say to 
him, * What doest thou V The world to come is ever- 
lasting. I think much of its immutability. As soon 
as I leave the body, my state will be fixed for evermore. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 193 

And yet wonder, O heavens ! that man should be worse 
than the ox or ass ! He does not consider! 
"I am your affectionate father, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

The following letter was addressed to a friend who 
iiad lost his second wife. It breathes Mr. Bramwell's 
usual spirit of commiseration, and evinces the great 
watchfulness which he exercised over himself. 



LETTER LV. 

To Mr. Thomas Jerram. 

" August, 1813. 

M My Dear Friend and Brother, — I wonder at 
the ways of God ! Yet, I am certain, he can do nothing 
but in infinite wisdom. Yet he is past finding out 
The Lord provided you with a helpmate ; he gave her 
for a season, and then took her to himself. He most 
assuredly provided you another ; but only suffered her 
to remain for a season. They are now before the throne, 
(O happy souls !) where sorrows are all ended. We 
are left to mourn and share in the world of sorrow a 
little while, and he will come for us. We shall soon 
share ' the eternal weight of glory.' How necessary 
to be ready ! 

" I was this morning making the inquiry, ' Am I 
ready ? Am I ready to leave the world this moment 1 
Am I ready as an individual, as a preacher, as a hus- 
band, as a parent ? Do I do all I can every day, in all 
respects ? O my soul ! how is it ? I may live much 
nearer ; I may enjoy much more ; I may have the ful- 
ness of God !' I immediately began to plead for such 
fulness of God, and will never rest without it. 

(i I am certain all the glory belongs to them who be- 
lieve. I hope we shall fully believe, and fully receive 
the grace of God. 

" My dear Jerram, I feel for you ; I would share in 
your bereavement. I thought when I heard, 'Hovr 

17 



194 MEMOIR OF 

should I love to live with him a few weeks, to sympa- 
thize, to pray, and to sink into the will of God toge- 
ther !' I cannot tell how you will endure the absence ; 
but I know God will help you in such a manner as shall 
be for his glory. He will counsel ; he will give com- 
fort ; yea, ' he will be with you, he will never forsake 
you.' I would advise you to labour to make the sacri- 
fice to God ; labour to commit the whole to him though 
it be in agony. In this you will find consolation, be- 
cause the will of God will be yours, his act will become 
yours ; you will unite, and your language will be 3 
' Blessed be the name of the Lord ! Though he slay 
me, I will trust in him !' May the ever blessed 'God 
supply all your need from the riches of his glory by 
Christ Jesus.' Amen ! 

" As you intend to journey to Hull by Leeds, on your 
return I wish you to call upon us : we shall be glad to 
see you, and drink of your cup for a season. We shall 
have a comfortable spare bed : and, if consistent with 
your business, you can tarry with us for some time. 
Please to say to Mr. Taylor, that I am sincerely desir- 
ous of seeing him at Nottingham ; but collections, ex- 
traordinary collections, &,c, &,c, will, I fear, entirely 
prevent me. I have scarcely been a night from the 
circuit since I came, excepting at conference ; and I 
never was more bound to attention than at present. 
Give our love to Mr. Taylor and friends. God bless 
you! 

H Yours as ever, 

" Wm. Bramwell.'' 



LETTER LVI. 

To Mr. William Stones. 

"Birstal, 1813, 

" My Dear Brother, — I waited for a letter from 

you, and received it at length with much pleasure. I 

am more than ever convinced of the great advantage 

we receive from entire sanctification. It preserves the 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 195 

soul in rest, in the midst of all the storms of life. It 
gives such satisfaction in every station, so much ap- 
proves of the order of God, has such a proper lookout 
for his glory, a full deliverance from self, and such a 
strong desire for the good of our neighbour in every 
way. The world is gone, we live above, yea, we ■ dwell 
in God, and God in us.' We can speak when we will, 
and be silent at our pleasure. Such victory is gained, 
such salvation is accomplished ! We are nothing, and 
feel it ; and we can do nothing without God ; hence 
we give him all the praise of every good thought and 
action. 

" * Keep yourself in the love of God.' I have known 
several who have received it, and some who have lost 
it. We need not lose it. We may stand, for God is 
able to keep us for ever. Live in it, talk about it, preach 
it, and enforce it with all patience, with all kindness ; 
and if you do this, hell, the world, and numbers amongst 
the Methodists, yea some leaders, if not preachers, will 
in some artful way seek to hinder your success. But 
what are you to do in your station? ' Pray without 
ceasing.' Be led t like a lamb to the slaughter ; be 
dumb, not opening your mouth.' At the saoie time, 
never be moved, never give the least way. I have 
known several who were beaten from their practice. 
What did the late J. Brown say to me on this subject 1 
He was handled in a strange manner, and by those 
who should have lifted up his hands. But there is a 
day of judgment ! If there should be any thing ex- 
travagant in your manner, always be willing to ac- 
knowledge it ; but take care that you are not unawares 
drawn from the Life, and sink into the common mass 
of Death. 

" There never was a time when we preachers had 
greater need to tremble. And Satan's method now is, 
to keep us in the dark. Labour to show yourself ap- 
proved as a preacher. I would labour, sometimes night 
and day, to have good sermons. But take care, that 
your end, in all your reading and study, be to save 
*ouls ; keep this one end in view. There is too much 



196 MEMOIR OP 

labour now to be popular. It was said of one man 
at the conference, that ' he laboured for an hour to make 
the preachers and the people think that he knew some- 
thing.' O poor labour ! Are not numbers now thus 
labouring. I see them, and I see they do nothing. 
How shall such give an account to God ? A man goes 
into a circuit with this view, ■ I am determined I will 
make this circuit know I am somebody V My brother 
Stones, the salvation of souls, and if possible, a soul 
brought to God in every day's labour, is of the great- 
est consequence. We shall be glad to see you when- 
ever you can come. Give my love to Mr. and Mrs 
Jackson. 

" I am yours very affectionately, 

" Wm. Bramwell. ;? 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Mr. Bramwell's labours in London — His indisposition-— Letters 
— His removal to Newcastle — Letters. 

In the year 1814 Mr. Bramwell was appointed to 
labour in the London West Circuit ; and from the ideas 
which he had previously formed concerning the gayety 
and dissipation of the metropolis, that appointment was 
to him a source of considerable and painful perplexity. 
Indeed his entrance on a new circuit was very gene- 
rally a time of great conflict ; and therefore it is natu- 
ral to suppose, that when about to engage in a spiritual 
warfare among the rich and the great in London, his 
mind would be unusually affected. However, he re- 
quested his Christian friends to unite with him in ear- 
nest prayer that the Lord of hosts might accompany 
him and crown his labours with abundant success. 
As he was well known in the Methodist connexion as 
an active leader in revivals, there were various and 
conflicting opinions respecting him ; in consequence of 
which, great numbers soon flocked to hear the new 
preacher. The following letter clearly exhibits his 
views and feelings on his entrance into this circuit. 



MR. W. BR AM WELL. 197 

LETTER LVII. 
To Mr. Thomas Croivtlier. 

« Chelsea, 1814. 

• My Dear Brother, — I suppose you will by this 
time be returned from Scarbro'. I hope you have kept 
yourself in prayer and in the love of God. Many lose 
ground at the watering places ; and one cause may be, 
some go without reason, or have no proper argument 
for being there. God will keep us in his own way. 
Nothing can harm us if we be true followers of Him. 
Oh that we may increase with the increase of God ! 

' ' I had a sore conflict respecting my appointment ; 
but in my first meeting, the Lord poured out his soften- 
ing Spirit. One man was so filled that he praised God 
aloud. I perceived at that time and since, that my 
coming here is of God. I have had several extraordi- 
nary seasons, and have been generally received. A 
number have been justified, and some awakened. I 
have been in all the chapels, and given many tickets. 
But we want Methodism, discipline, religion. The 
Lord, the Lord God of Israel, help and bless us in all 
we have to do ! £ am weaker than ever, and nothing 
less than his almighty power can support me in this 
place. I have found a number of children from differ- 
ent places, who now reside here ; several of whom I 
had not before known. This gives me joy. What shall 
we meet in the great day of God ? 

" Our situation in Chelsea is quite to our minds — a 
pleasant garden, &c. Yet we have a vast population 
around us. The society here is small and very low. 
A great debt rests on the chapel, and few seats have 
been let. We hope to see a change. God is able. 
We preach only twice on the Sunday and meet the 
societies ; and on week nights about three times; much 
the same as at Birstal. My regular walking to my 
places, &c, is about thirty miles per week. But the 
friends will provide me beds at some of the places. I 

17* 



y 



198 MEMOIR OF 

am quite satisfied in being here rather than at any of 
the other places, for several reasons. Oh what I feel 
when I consider the state of London ! Ten hundred 
thousand people ! Thirty thousand prostitutes! But so 
few of God-fearing persons ! I often think of what the 
disciples said to our Lord : ( Behold what manner of 
stones, and what buildings are here ! yet all shall be 
thrown down !' The thought of such numbers in the 
way to destruction, is nearly more than I can bear. 
Yet, with God, it is possible to bear me up. Pour out 
thy Spirit, O almighty God ! Send us a flood from thy 
throne, and send it soon ! Amen and Amen ! 

" Your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

It was not long, however, before the Lord ma,de bare 
his arm, and gave his servant to see his good pleasure 
prosper in his hand. Some letters addressed to his 
friends, had we room to quote them, would show that 
all his previous fears concerning his new station, were 
soon removed, and that he was quite satisfied with his 
appointment. 

Whilst he was thus successfully and pleasantly la- 
bouring in the Lord's vineyard, he was again called to 
experience great bodily affliction. From the following 
letters it will be seen that he had a return of his old 
complaint, the rheumatism, which for a short time, 
rendered him incapable of labour, but which could 
not for a moment deprive him of the consolations of 
religion. 

LETTER LVIII. 

To Mr. William Stones. 

" London, January 9, 1815. 
" My Dear Brother, — I should have written to you 
long ago ; I have only been prevented by another severe 
attack of the rheumatism. I am now recovering, but 
the disorder has not yet left my right hand, &c, so that 
it is with great difficulty I now am able to write. When 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 199 

I came to London, it was in an agony of prayer. I had 
power with God, and found universal reception. Effects 
were produced in every place, and in two love feasts 
we had a shower. Numbers were set at liberty. I 
never had greater love and liberty in preaching. 
Preachers are all in love and peace. A missionary, 
one who has been fifteen years abroad, supplied my 
place in my affliction. I have reason to believe I 
shall be in my work in a few days. The will of 
God be done ! Amen ! I was not able to be at our 
quarterly meeting, but am told, (not certain whether 
my information may be correct,) three hundred new 
members have been added this quarter. I wonder at 
the mercy of God ! 

" Though I have been in the furnace, yet I assure 
you that I have had such views of the glory of heaven, 
and the torments of the damned, that, if I have strength 
I shall pour out such blessings and curses as I have 
never done before. O that my God may be with me ! 
I thank God that you find yourself in your place, and 
that the work of God is seen among you. Never lose 
your edge. Keep a true Sheffield blade ; let it be fine, 
but sharp.* Never rest til] you can say, ' Thy blood 
cleanseth my soul from all sin. ; O to feel it, and then 
to preach it ! God will be with you. Invitations are 
now proceeding from several towns in France. The 
committee are sending preachers. There was never 
known a greater opening. Nothing as yet from Cey- 
lon. I wonder what these lads can do without tongues ! 
u I am your affectionate brother, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER LIX. 

To his Daughter. 

" Chelsea, January 3, 1815. 
* ; My Dear Ann, — Tt is with difficulty that I can 
answer yours with my own hand, as a stiffness yet re~ 

x In allusion to Mr. Stones' former occupation in Sheffield. 



200 MEMOIR OF 

mains in both of them. But I am quite recovered from 
the disease, and have walked out several days. I shall 
be able, through the blessing of God, to preach in Chel- 
sea chapel on Sunday, and I hope then to proceed in 
the blessed work, in which I had success in London, 
without departing from my own way. Praise the Lord ! 
Friends have been exceedingly kind. 

" Your letter greatly refreshed us, and brought tears 
from us. You are not yet worn out with doing us good : 
you shall all have your reward. You say but little 
about the child : I hope he is quite well. I perceived, 
before I left you, that you would all have one lesson to 
learn, viz. to love the child, but to live every moment 
in the sacrifice. This the Lord has been striving to 
teach you. I hope you were all attentive to the voice 
of God, and can now say, ' Let William live or die, he 
is thine ; do as thou wilt.' This is the glory of our 
dispensation, — to love all in God. 

" Your affectionate father, 

" Wm. Bramwell/* 



LETTER LX. 

To Mr. Thomas Crowthcr. 

" Chelsea, April 11, 1815. 

" My Dear Brother, — I have found it on my mind 
to write to you an account of my present state. I am 
able to go through all my work, and have been so nearly 
three months. My right hand remains stiff, and my 
fingers contracted. I am yet weak in my ankles, and 
extremely weary after walking a few miles. I was 
worn down, and extremely thin in my body, but my 
great difficulty now is, to prevent myself from growing 
too large. 

" I never found greater power in preaching, and I 
see blessed effects under almost every sermon. I never 
lived in so near a union with God as at the present. I 
do seek to be ready every moment. The views respect- 
ing God and everlasting life, given me in my affliction. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 201 

were extraordinary. To retain a constant sense of the 
presence of God, is our glory in this world. It is to 
live in him, and always to feel it. This great salvation, 
— salvation from all sin ; salvation into all the gospel 
glory, and to be changed into the same image ! I am 
lost in wonder, love, and praise ! O may we drink still 
deeper into these wells of salvation ! You know how ; 
— prayer, constant, private prayer. I have lately been 
roused from my bed in the night, to pour out my soul 
to God. I feel T never pray too much : it is my life, 
it is my all in him. 

" We have had great disturbance in London ; but 
you would read of it. I was sorry to find, by the re- 
ports from our missionaries in France, that the priests 
were authorized or suffered to select the Bibles which 
the French took with them, and to burn them ; and 
that a great number sent to Spain, were seized and 
sent back. Since that, you find an astonishing change 
in France. How wonderful that Bonaparte is permit- 
ted to return to his place ! Great events again ! I pray 
most earnestly to God to prevent, if it please him, the 
great shedding of blood. ' With God this is possible.' 
Some of the most pious of our society, some officers 
and others, are called out again. The bustle is very 
great as a preparation for war : all hands are at work. 
I was preparing to go to Dunkirk, and this as privately 
as possible ; for we had a congregation there : but this 
is over for the present. I am persuaded, before much 
can be done on the continent, the whole of the super- 
stitious machine must be broken in pieces ; and by 
what means the Lord knoweth. Hasten thy coming, 
O Lord ! I remain your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

LETTER LXI. 
To Mr. Sigston. 

" Chelsea, May 25, 1815. 
" My Dear Brother, — Notwithstanding my long 
-ilence ; I have had you and your family upon my heart 



202 MEMOIR OF 

every day. I pray for you continually, that you may 
experience all the salvation from sin, living perfect 
love, do all the will of God in this world, and that your 
teaching may (as it. has done) answer two blessed ends, 
that is, produce the wisdom of man, and the power of 
God, among your pupils. Your plan of proceeding, in 
this respect, will discover the fruit of your labours, in 
time and eternity. O how desirable to lay up a store 
in every way, to be ready for all the glory, to live in 
the fulness of God, to walk with him, — feeling the 
closest union, the testimony that you please him. Pray 
that your preaching may be effectual, have always one 
end in view, — souls, souls, — the salvation of your 
hearers ! Amen, Lord Jesus ! 

" You know I have been about three months in the 
furnace. The mystery of God ! ' I know not now !' I 
cannot find it out, but I know he was with me. The 
glory I experienced was beyond all I can now relate. 
I was filled with mercy. I could have shouted ' mercy' 
continually. Yet I never had so clear a view of the 
torments of the damned. It was shown me most clearly 
that the terrors of the law of the Lord are not attended 
to in our preaching, so much as is necessary ; and you 
may depend upon it, this is one cause of our leanness. 
The world must be made sick; they must feel their 
need of Christ. O what a view of this when in my 
sickness ! It was also made more plain to me, that a 
full salvation through Christ is ever near to those who 
hunger. ' His blood can cleanse ;' this is the song in 
heaven Since my sickness I have had uncommon 
enlargement in preaching, and never saw greater ef- 
fects. We might expect thousands to be united to us, 
and yet we have very few comparatively. There is a 
great stagnation of trade ; almost all persons in Lon- 
don upon the rack, &c, &,c. I do think this proves a 
great hinderance to the word. The Spirit is quenched, 
and there is little or no prayer amongst those who get 
touched. I have seen some brought into liberty every 
week. In this my hands are borne up. I give Him, 
the everlasting God, all the glory. I remain weak in 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 203 

my ankles and feet, but am able to go through all my 
preaching and walking. I am not certain what I shall 
do at the conference. I shall see my way. The faculty 
tell me, London will not do for me in the winter, as 1 
sweat a great deal in preaching, and have to walk 
home afterwards, three miles or more. Thou, O my 
God, wilt be my guide, even unto death. My right 
hand remains stiff, and I cannot write so well as I did ; 
but perhaps you can read this. 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER LXII. 
To his Son. 

"Chelsea, June 3, 1815. 
" My Dear John, — I continue gaining strength in 
my ankles, &c. I wish nothing to be said at present 
about my staying at, or leaving Chelsea. I am so 
blessed among the people, that I shall feel very reluc- 
tant to leave them ; and yet if, on the ground of the 
opinion of the faculty, I cannot stand the winter here, 
I shall act from duty. ' The Lord make my way plain !* 
This shall be my prayer. 

" I remain your affectionate father, 

" Wm. Bramwell. 5 ' 

From the state of Mrs. Bramwell's health, as well as 
his own, it seemed to be the opinion of the physicians' 
that it would not be proper for them to winter again in 
London. Mr. BramwelL^ views and feelings on thi< 
subject, as well as on the financial state of the connex- 
ion, are clearly expressed in the following letter. 

LETTER LXIII. 

To Mr. Thomas Crowther. 

« London, July 21, 1815. 
" My Dear Brother, — I received your letter, and 
am glad to find you have done so well in the temporal 



204 MEMOIR OF 

matters of your circuit. I assure you, a number oi 
circuits not far from you are in a much worse situation ; 
Sheffield, Halifax, Huddersfield, &,c. And a number 
of circuits not far from London, are groaning under 
their weight. Hitherto the conference have got out of 
their difficulties, but it has been in the wrong way ; we 
have been thrown upon the rack more and more. My 
prayer is, that we may be so fast this conference, that 
we may not be able to deliver ourselves without an 
entire change of system. O that this may be the case ! 
Our collections are much too numerous, and the money 
is more than the souls of the people. A number of 
preachers are of the same mind. As to the letter of 
promise, I know we remonstrated ; and, in answer, 
there was an engagement to this effect, — ' Do all you 
can, and we must make it up.' To whom that letter 
was directed, or what became of it, I cannot tell. I 
thought you took it home. 

" I thank you for your care and advice. I am truly 
in a state of uncertainty. I must continually rest in 
the Lord. It being known that I have some thoughts 
of removing, I have petitions from every quarter, which 
circumstance too much affects me. But I dare not 
make my feelings my law for a moment. I may, if 
possible, see Westgate Hill on Tuesday morning next: 
but this depends on my procuring a supply. This 
place, I am told, is too warm for my wife's complaint, 
and that she cannot be well here. I must leave my 
station till I see her, or have some good ground for 
expectation that she might return with propriety. 
From present circumstances, it appears I am called to 
remove. The Lord be my light and salvation ! As to 
myself, I am surprisingly strong ; but 1 do think I am 
in danger of a relapse if I stay in London. To be in 
the cold so much ofter sweating in the chapels, is dan- 
gerous. I am yours affectionately, 

i( Wm. Bramwell." 

In consequence of Mrs. Bramwell's ill state of health, 
as well as from a fear that the winter might prove in- 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 205 

jurious to Mr. Br am well, the conference of 1815 sta- 
tioned him in the Newcastle circuit. 

About this period, many persons were plunged into 
^reat temporal difficulties, in consequence of the want 
of trade, and the failures of several mercantile houses 
of great distinction. And as " one event," in this 
respect, frequently " happeneth to the righteous and to 
the wicked," some of the Methodists who had been 
before very respectable, now lost the whole of their 
property, and experienced the truth of the declaration 
of Scripture, (i Riches make to themselves wings and 
fly away." The effect which these things produced 
on the mind of Mr. Bramwell, will appear from the 
following letter. 

LETTER LXIV. 

To Mr. Thomas Crowther. 

" Newcastle, September 14, 1815. 
" My Dear Brother, — I ever call to mind the 
fellowship, the refreshing, the heavenly showers, the 
glory of God, when I was amongst you ; and I shall, I 
believe, have cause to praise my God for ever on that 
account. The Lord is the same yesterday, to-day, and 
to eternity. The light which has shone upon this 
nation has, in a very general way, been rejected ; and 
the Lord is most assuredly scourging us for our disobe- 
dience. Distress on every side ! Men's hearts failing 
them for fear ! Numbers trembling, others falling ! The 
daily changes greatly affect me. What numbers of our 
friends have been upon the list lately, and there must 
be numbers more. Circuits are increasing in debt; 
they cannot maintain their preachers ; they must have 
fewer or go to ruin. If my plan had been adopted 
twelve years ago, it would have prevented all this. I 
know it would. But here we are looking at each other, 
and all are fast. Continual prayer, and doing all we 
can for souls in these times, is the way to keep up* 
But my feelings when amongst distressed families, can 
only be borne up by the power of God. 
18 



206 MEMOIR OF 

" I may see you on my way to Sheffield ; but all 
things are uncertain. May we every day look to God, 
and increase in all grace, that we may share in the 
everlasting glory ! We have a blessed work in some 
parts of this circuit. The Lord be with you ! Amen ! 
" My hand is )yet contracted ; I can scarce write 
legibly. 

" Ever yours affectionately, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

Although the subject of this memoir had still to en- 
dure much personal affliction, yet his desire for the 
salvation of men seemed to become more ardent. The 
following records will show the state of his mind in this 
respect, and his patient, yet eager waiting for the ap* 
pearing of his Lord. 

LETTER LXV. 

To Mr, Johnson* 

" Newcastle, Oct. 26, 1815. 

" My Dear Brother, — It has been much upon my 
mind to give your family some account of our state, as 
I know that your good wishes for our welfare will lead 
you all to unite in our sorrows and our joys. It is but 
a little time since I received my wife at Newcastle. 
She was somewhat recovered when she came, but has 
had a severe relapse, and was brought again into an 
extremely weak state. Within these few days, she has 
had a little more strength ; and may yet, through the 
blessing of God, be restored to her former state of 
health. But this is a doubtful case. ' Father ! thy 
will be done V We shall live together in eternal glory. 
I have continued in good health, only that in my right 
hand there remains some relics of the rheumatism. I 
am strong to labour, and find the blessing of God upon 
my little work. 

" I am (I do assure you,) waiting every day for my 
change ; and I see the heavenly throng waiting for 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 207 

me. I long more than ever to be there, ' where we 
shall see his face, and never, never sin. 7 The Lord 
poured out his blessing in our first love meeting. Six 
or seven entered into liberty. I receive this from my 
heavenly Father, as a token for good. In our second 
love feast, none but the society were admitted. It was 
quite crowded, although held a few miles from Newcas- 
tle. At the beginning, all were quiet, and in consider- 
able suspense for about an hour. But, in an agony of 
prayer, suddenly the power of God came upon us all. 
Conviction was general ; there were cries for mercy in 
every direction. I never was able to preserve greater 
order, and yet not fewer than thirty persons were set 
at liberty. This work continued about two hours, and 
I never witnessed greater glory. I have seen a num- 
ber saved the last week in different places, and I hope 
the work will go on ; for, I do assure you, we need it 
at Newcastle and in the circuit. Pray, pray ! and may 
the Lord hear you ! Amen ! 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm, Bramwell." 



LETTER LXVI. 
To Mr. Turnell. 

"Newcastle. 1815. 
" My Dear Brother, — I still find a strong induce* 
ment to continue our correspondence ; and this, I trust, 
in the name of the Lord Jesus. The frequent changes 
and many deaths of our dear friends, ever call upon 
me to use the utmost diligence to grow in grace, to be 
ready, fully ready to meet God. I frequently long for 
his coming. I wait to see him as he is, to behold his 
glory, to see the company, and especially the number 
I have known, and who are now with him. What is 
all the world, or worlds on worlds to compare with this 1 
What is labour ? What is suffering ? What are fire and 
water, (supposing we were called to pass through them,) 
if God is with us ? To see the Lamb and possess ever- 
lasting life, overbalance every thing else. 



208 MEMOIR OF 

"My wife is much better, but not well. She may 
still increase in strength. 

" We have seen a blessed work of God, but seem 
rather at a stand again. Yet it may break out with 
greater power, and I hope it will. Numbers have been 
saved. The glory which has been revealed in differ- 
ent parts of this kingdom, should make us all rejoice, 
£ The Lord ride on, till all be subdued V You will find 
our state of finance truly deplorable. O that the time 
may come when no circuit shall have more preacher? 
than they will maintain ! I shall then leave you in 
peace. 

" How are you in your own mind ? Do you keep 

clear in entire sanctification ? Do you grow ? Do you 

pray still more and more, and with greater pleading 1 

Are you all alive, nothing quenching, the heart all love ? 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

H Wm. Bramwell." 

The reader will perceive by these extracts from Mr. 
Bramwell's correspondence, that he was led constantly 
to look for his change. The happy saint was gradually 
ripening for glory, and his conversation was more emi- 
nently in heaven. The subjoined letter to his daugh- 
ser, shows this still more plainly. He had received a 
secret intimation, that his earthly course might be ter- 
minated in Newcastle. In anticipation of this event, 
he could joyfully say, " Thy will be done." 

LETTER LXVII. 

To his Daughter. 

" Newcastle, 1815. 
tf My Dear Ann, — It is long since we heard from 
you, and I suppose you will say the same respecting us, 
I hope you will unite in praise to God, when I tell you 
that I have received what I call an extraordinary bap- 
tism of the Spirit. I do not know that I shall preach 
any better, or look in any thing more like an angel ; 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 209 

but my soul has experienced such a fellowship with 
God and heavenly things, as I never felt before. O 
the glory which shall be revealed ! I am swallowed up 
in him ! 

" When I first came to Newcastle I had, as I thought, 
reason to believe that I should be taken home from 
this place. The impression was such as made me 
speak of it to a few friends. In this I look up, and 
must say, ' Thy will be done !' May I be ready every 
moment ! 

" Three weeks ago, your mother had a serious re- 
lapse, being very ill indeed ; since then she has reco- 
vered in a remarkable way. In her last sickness, by 
looking to God in prayer, I thought I received an evi- 
dence that she would recover from that time. So far 
I am correct ; the Lord can heal. We are doing well 
in the circuit. God is with us ; but we wait for a 
much greater shower. Now, my dear Ann, live to 
God. Rest in nothing short of a clean heart : plead 
for this several times in a day. Believe : God must 
cleanse according to his word. — Amen ! The Lord 
grant it ! u I am your affectionate father, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER LXVI1I. 
To Mrs. Pickford. 

" Newcastle, 1816. 
"Ut Dear Sister, — I received your letters; and 
the last to me were better than the first, because you 
point out your superior state as it respects your union 
with the Lord. Salvation is come to your heart indeed. 
1 Love casts out fear ; as he is, so are you in this world.' 
As he is separated, so are you separated from a world 
of evil. This gives you boldness in looking at the 
day of judgment, a clear witness, a clear view of God, 
of heaven. O what satisfaction it yields to the soul ! 
I am certain much is bought for us. I am equally cer- 
tain ajl is promised to us, and that he cannot fail to 

18* 



210 MEMOIR OF 

give this great salvation. He justifies, he purifies, he 
then stays the mind on himself; but he gathers us 
nearer, and still nearer, till we feel we live in the pre- 
sence of God every moment. This is our place, and 
this is heaven upon earth. Whether poor or rich, in 
company or without, with our near relations or in their 
absence, the Lord is every thing to us, and every place 
is full of himself. We want no other heaven ; we have 
all, anu our God is this all. I long to see my par- 
ticular friends, my relations, my brothers and sisters 
throughout the churches, live in this glory. Amen ! 

"I am certain -you will in some way or other meet 
with tribulation ; various changes will take place in this 
world in your family, and with yourself; (for we are 
not yet settled ;) but you will be ready to meet every 
change by constant watching and prayer, and by keep- 
ing up a lively faith in God. Never expect your hea- 
venly Father to keep his covenant only on the ground 
of your acts of faith. This faith must belike the pen- 
dulum of a clock,— At must be kept moving, to put the 
whole soul in motion. And, as your faith increases, 
you will more quickly mount up, run faster, labour 
more, love more, rejoice more, and drink the cup with 
greater cheerfulness. You will be more thankful for 
every blessing, for your station, connexions, and the in- 
struments of your salvation. You will be more thankful 
for your dear, dear Mrs. Mortimer. Why did the Lord 
cast your lot so near her 1 Was it not that you might 
have ' fulness of joy, and pleasures for evermore V Was 
it not that you might arrive at all the fulness of God ? 
O praise him for ever. I congratulate you, I rejoice 
with you, I triumph in union with you. I find this 
most sweet and pure. God is in our fellowship. It 
will not be broken. It is from heaven, and altogether 
spiritual. It will increase to eternity. I long much 
to feel what it will be, when separated from this vile 
body. I never had more pleasant walks, by faith, in 
the heavenly country. I see the company, and I live 
amongst, them ; for ( we are come to an innumerable 
company, of angels ; to the spirits of just men made 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 211 

perfect.* The manner is inexpressible, but the thing 
is certain. Faith is the evidence. Farewell ! The 
everlasting God be with you always ! 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell. ;< 

In the following letter we have a striking proof of 
the sincere and faithful friend. 

LETTER LXIX. 
To Mr. Thomas Croivthcr. 

" Newcastle, June, 1816. 

" My Dear Brother, — Notwithstanding my long 
silence, my soul is ever towards you. Gomersal and 
the circuit are near my heart. My prayer to God for 
you all is that you may still be saved, and above all 
things, prosper in your souls. I think I never felt a 
greater longing for the salvation of the churches, and 
of the world ; and never so fully satisfied that it is God 
that ' worketh all in all.' I am giving myself to God, 
to receive a much deeper baptism, which I feel is my 
liberty in this world. I cannot rest in sins forgiven, or 
in being cleansed from all unrighteousness. I see the 
glory which belongs to me in our blessed Lord, is for 
himself to dwell fully in my soul. I will praise him, I 
do praise him. But O my little faith ! I must go, I 
must rise, I must live with him for ever. Amen ! 

" My wife is much established, but not quite clear 
of the disease. She has occasionally slight relapses. 
Perhaps she will not be sound till she receives the new 
glorious body. May she pray always, and never faint 
We are doing well, but the work is not general. All 
around us are in tribulation. God only knows when 
the.general conflict will be past. God is in many places 
pouring out his flood of mercy even in troublous times. 
England has surely had a great day of heavenly visita- 
tion. It has been exalted to heaven. The Lord grant 
that it may not be cast down to hell ! I hope the ever 
blessed God will continue to show you his glory. O 



212 MEMOIR OF 

that the preachers, leaders, and all the societies, may be 
alive to God. 

" I trembled for you when I heard of your mission 
feast, &c, &c. I much feared you would be flushed 
with outward appearances, and look into the feast room, 
and be greatly incumbered, and sink down into the 
cellar, with a load of worldly glory. My dear Crow- 
ther, excuse me, I thought you were proof against 
these things ; but you and I show ourselves to be but 
men. The Lord save us ! And may we sit together in 
glory ! 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



CHAPTER XIV. 

Mr. Bramwell's appointment to Salford— His zealous labours- 
Declining health— Letters. 

r We now enter on the last circuit in which this faithful 
servant of Christ Jesus was permitted to labour. The 
conference appointed him to Salford in 1817. From 
all the accounts of those who were favoured with his 
presence, it appears that he was fully persuaded that 
his work was nearly finished, and that the time of his 
departure was at hand. Few Christian ministers have 
had more intimate communion with God, or have 
evinced a greater portion of self dedication, than Mr. 
Bramwell. His heavenly conversation and zealous 
exertions in the cause of his divine Master are thus 
described by Mr. James Grime : 

" Lamenting with others the loss sustained by the 
removal of one so eminently useful amongst us, as the 
late Mr. Bramwell was, I have found my mind thrown 
back upon the events of the year which is past, in order 
to collect a few of the fragments which remain in my 
remembrance, of the labours of a man endeared to us 
by the consciousness we had of his being, like Abra- 
ham. « the friend of God,' a man mighty in faith, strong 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 213 

in prayer, enjoying constant union and communion 
with God. Oh ! that not a look, nor a word of so great, 
so good a man may fall to the ground ! May God make 
the memoir about to be published a blessing to every 
reader ! 

" At the time when Mr. Bramwell was appointed to 
this circuit, we had petitioned for him seventeen years ; 
and at length we obtained our wishes. The expecta- 
tion which had been formed was not disappointed. In 
his first address he stated the duties of ministers of the 
gospel, and his determination to labour after that model 
' I shall call upon you/ he said, 'not to eat, drink, or 
spend the time in conversation with you upon indiffe- 
rent subjects, but to ask you concerning the state of 
your souls.' 

" His method of preaching was peculiar to himself. 
For sometimes he made choice of very singular passa- 
ges from the prophets ; notwithstanding which, before 
he had finished, they were made very plain to the un- 
derstanding. The metaphors of the inspired penmen 
were also applied in a remarkable manner to every 
individual, either as a private character, or as a mem- 
ber of a Christian community. Whoever remembers 
the following texts out of many others, will already 
have made the same remarks : Isa. vi, 1, 5; Isa. xliii, 
1, 2; Isa. li, 9, 11 ; Isa. liii, 1, 2 ; Isa. lviii, 11, 12; 
Isa. lxii, 10, 12 ; Jer. xiv, 7, 9 ; Lam. iii, 31, 39. 

" On one occasion Mr. Atmore said, ' None but Mr, 
Bramwell could have preached from such a text.' One 
idea generally prevailed in some mode or other, and 
formed the basis of almost all his discourses — that every 
Christian man should stand in his place, filled with the 
Spirit of God, and thus be qualified for the performance 
of every duty. 

" How powerful was his call ! * Preachers ! leaders ! 
prayer leaders, and people !' and sometimes his zeal 
was so great that not an office of any kind escaped his 
notice. ' Singers and door-keepers !' resounded through 
the chapel. So impressive were his calls to enter into 
f he fulness of every gospel privilege, that every head 



214 MEMOIR OF 

has often been bowed down, and hundreds pricked to 
the heart. 

" According to his own account, he seldom ascended 
the pulpit without strong conflicts. Perhaps his soul 
had been wrestling with God in mighty prayer, that 
the glory of the Redeemer might appear. But the na- 
ture of those conflicts he never mentioned. When, 
however, he had entered upon his duty, and sometimes 
even as soon as he entered the pulpit, his soul be* 
came unburdened ; in the midst of his sermon he would 
obtain full liberty. Enraptured with the glories of 
heaven, and filled with holy fervour and zeal, he would 
lose sight of his presence in the body. At such seasons 
the Spirit's influences were shed abroad ; and if there 
was a heart that felt not, surely that heart was harden- 
ed be wilful prejudice, or had become a willing captive 
to a Laodicean spirit. The inhabitants of Manches- 
ter, Salford, and Pendleton, remember many of those 
seasons, with a mixture of the most exalted feelings. 
Those of Barton will never forget the last love feast 
which Mr. Bramwell held amongst them, when upwards 
of thirty souls were set at liberty. On that occasion 
he informed me that for nearly two hours he did not 
know whether he was in the body or not. The fervour 
of his spirit often led him into an involuntary poetic 
strain, little inferior to those celebrated compositions 
which have given immortal honour to the name of Dr. 
Young. I did indeed think that he had composed some 
piece which described the warfare and triumph of a 
Christian, and that at these times he was generally 
quoting himself. This mode of delivery was of fre- 
quent occurrence. 

" He usually met the society after preaching on a 
Sunday evening, when that holy fervour which he had 
felt during preaching was far from being evaporated. 
He appeared unwilling to leave his post: 'Suffer me. 
suffer me,' he would often repeat. During preaching 
also he used the same expressions, as well as * Bear 
with me, O bear with me V so importunate was he, 
and yet so feeling ! and as often he returned to the 






MR. W. BRAMWELL. 215 

charge. In the midst of the closing benediction, he 
has frequently resumed singing with Praise God from 
whom all blessings jloic ! &c ; whea the chapel, instead 
of being emptied, has been filled with fresh incense. 
In short, if Mr. Bramwell had received at his first 
coming amongst us, a clear discovery of the particular 
time of his departure, he could not have laboured with 
greater earnestness. On the sabbath before he left us 
for conference, one of his texts was from Phil, ii, 8, 
' For God is my record how greatly I long after you all 
in the bowels of Jesus Christ.' ' When he sees Pen- 
dleton corning up the mount of God, 5 according to his 
ardent prayer well remembered, ; and heaven's host re- 
sounds the news,' they can and will, and must bear tes- 
timony, ' how greatly he did long after them all in the 
bowels of Jesus Christ.' 

" Whenever he met an old professor enjoying the 
love of God, and ready to depart, he would say, ' Well 
my friend, it cannot be long before you take possession 
of the kingdom. When you get there tell them who 
are already in heaven, I am following hard after you, 
and shall not be long.' i I go,' said he, in one of his 
sermons, ' many times in a day to look over this estate 
of mine.' To a friend who said, This is my birth day } 
Mr. Bramwell replied, ' Well, if you live as long again 
wholly devoted to God, you will then become a holy 
man indeed.' The attainment of entire sanctification, 
was what he would constantly impress upon the minds 
of all who entered into conversation with him. Too 
many, he feared, are only outward court worshippers, 
when it is their privilege to enter into the holy of holies. 

" To live dead to the world, and ever prepared for 
a dying hour, was his -constant subject. This he 
would enforce by many familiar similes. ' If,' said he, 
' the call should be at midnight, can you arise and at 
once willingly and cheerfully obey the summons ? If at 
noonday, are you ready ? Is every thing in its place ? 
Can you obey with the same alacrity with which you 
would run to the door upon hearing a loud rap ? Or is 
there something to be set in order, before the call can 



216 MEMOIR OF 

be attended to V He also observed that, if not both 
willing and ready in every moment of time to attend 
the summons of death, we were not fit to die. Preach- 
ing and conversing after this manner, his appointed 
time at length arrived, and as he had taught so he had 
learned to obey. The almighty and allwise Disposer 
of events was well pleased ; and impressed the whole 
with the broad seal of divine approbation, saying, Come 
up hither ! and he was suddenly from earth released. 

€< The week before Mr. Bramwell went to confer- 
ence, he called at a friend's house in the afternoon ; 
and, during his short stay, he prayed not less than six 
times, with uncommon earnestness, and in reference 
to some particular circumstance : whatever that might 
be .he was enabled between the intervals of prayer to 
praise God with equal fervour. His knowledge of the 
human heart was so deep, that it has been emphatic- 
ally said of him, he was truly a discerner of spirits. 
Many examples might be given if living well known 
characters were not implicated. With the pious and 
learned archbishop of Cambray, he knew, ' there was 
a simplicity which is a wonderful virtue ;' of this vir- 
tue he was in full possession. He was a recollected 
soul. He was never absent, except when, with uplift- 
ed eyes, he looked at his estate ; and this he could not 
avoid, even in the midst of company. He often la- 
mented that Mr. Fletcher's letter on recollection was 
not more generally known. Of the reverse of this 
state he was accustomed to observe, that it was a dis- 
sipation eft" mind and of soul. He frequently said, " I 
feel as if I could like to go to heaven next week.' 

" His familiar anecdotes and similes were made 
uncommon blessings. At a meeting of the society at 
Pendleton, he noticed many of the hinderances which 
prevent God from taking full possession of the soul. 
These he considered as idols. He gave an account of 
a canary fancier, — a professor of religion, but a mourn- 
er in Zion. Mr. Bramwell having seen the birds, and 
heard a description of their various beauties and excel- 
lencies, observed to the man, f Why, these are your 



MB. W. BRAMWELL. 217 

gods !' The man was offended ; but, upon serious 
consideration, he felt the force of the remark, cut off 
the heads of all the poor canaries, applied to a throne 
of grace, and his soul was almost immediately set at 
liberty. At the same meeting another bird fancier felt 
the force of this remark, and instantly disposed of his 
birds ; and although he was then in perfect health, he 
sickened soon afterwards, and within the space of four- 
teen days after the meeting, died happy, triumphantly 
happy in the love of God." 

The letters which Mr. Bramwell addressed from 
Manchester, to his various friends, increase in inte- 
rest as he approached nearer to that country, the inha- 
bitants of which have no need to say, " I am sick." 



LETTER LXX. 
To his Daughter. 

"Manchester, 1817. 

€{ My Dear Ann, — Having an opportunity of writ- 
ing, by a friend, I am led to say that we are in a 
prosperous state. I do think your mother and myself 
never lived so near to God, and I hope we shall still 
increase in that blessed union. 

# * . # ' # * # # # 

" I have you much on my mind, with your dear 
John. How is the work of salvation going on ? Are 
you given to prayer? Have you confidence in God, 
that he can cleanse from all sin ? Do you believe he 
is willing ? Do you seek it by faith alone 1 Do you 
plead and bring it to the present time ? Are you quite 
determined to receive it, or to perish crying out 1 Do 
you thus strive to enter in ? Do you live in the daily 
sacrifice of yourself and children to God 1 O how I 
long for your full salvation, your living in God always, 
receiving all in union with Christ, your being one with 
him ! Do let me hear in your next, (and let it be by 
the return of the bearer,) that the Lord is come, that 

19 



218 MEMOIR OF 

he hath cleansed your heart, that you can witness 
without fear, of the perfect love. O cry, cry to God 
mightily ! Never rest till pure within. I pray daily for 
you. Do let me have an answer from God. Let me 
have my Ann and John to live in this salvation before 
I die ! Let me see this fruit in my Ann ! If you knew 
my concern, surely you would, even on this account^ 
pray without ceasing, ' I will not let thee go, I will 
not, till my suit prevail !' From this time I will my- 
self look up, and I will look for your answer to my 
satisfaction. I shall then return my God most hearty 
thanks for you. I will kneel down and give him glory. 
Our love to all in the house. The Lord bless and 
reward you all a hundred fold ! Our love also to Dr, 
Taft. 

" Your dear father. 

" Wm. Bramwell." 

The subjoined letter, to an old friend and beloved 
yoke-fellow, is most affecting. 

LETTER LXXI. 

To Mr. Roger Crane. 

" Manchester, Sept. 3, 1817. 

"My Dear Brother, — Since my last rheumatic 
attack my right hand has continued contracted, so that 
I find a difficulty in writing ; but I am sure it is high 
time to answer your very affectionate letter. I can 
assure you, it had such an effect on my mind, that it 
laid me in the dust with tears. O my brother ! we 
have passed through much tribulation, but the Lord 
has wonderfully preserved us from falling. I am lost 
in astonishment when I look to our former and past 
acquaintance. It is by the mighty power of God that I 
continue. O how near have I been at various times, 
how near being overcome ! But an alarm has been 
sounded in my ears, and I have been snatched as a 
brand from the burning. You will unite in praises to 



MR. W. BRAMWBLL. 219 

Him who has preserved me in justification, in sanctifl- 
cation, in love, in union with my God,— living in his 
presence, and waiting for my change. I have had to 
do with all sorts of persons, with extreme afflictions, 
and with the face of devils ; but all is love. This 
bears, believes, hopes, and endures : it never fails. 
I hunger, I thirst, I*pray, ana * believe. Yet all is of 
Him, never weaker, yet never so strong. O this 
full salvation, this full salvation ! He bought it, He 
promised it, He imparts it. Glory, everlasting glory 
be to the Lamb of God ! 

" Forgive me when#I say to you, my life is now 
prayer. I feel the need of this continually, a # nd c^n 
only live in this duty. I hope you will join me in 
this, though absent in body A little while and he 
will come. You and I will soon have done. Let us 
be ready, always ready to meet our Lord. All is fixed 
for ever, when we leave this world. We can never 
alter afterwards. May this sink deep into our hearts 3 
and may we receive a full reward ! 

" Yours truly, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER LXXII. 
To Mr. Reay. 

" Manchester, Nov. 6, 1817. 
" My Dear Friend and Brother, — I have for 
some time expected a letter from you. I thought I 
would wait no longer, but make free to write, to in- 
quire about all things, as I am greatly interested in the 
affairs of your family and circuit. We are much bet- 
ter in health than I expected. Indeed the Lord has 
been so gracious, that Mrs. Bramwell has been better 
than I have known for three years. Yet, she has at 
times some forebodings of the return of the disease ; 
but is hitherto saved. We have a good house, and but 
too well furnished. The friends are too kind in this 
respect. I have scarcely been a night in town or 



220 MEMOIR OF 

Country, but 1 have seen effects in the societies. I de- 
termined I would never preach without meeting the 
society, and God has owned me in this, in every place* 
I have crowds to preach to, especially in Salford. I 
have not seen a general increase from the world : I 
hope I shall see it. In a love feast in the country, on 
Sunday week, for about two hours there was a general 
work of God, when about twenty, at least, were truly 
saved. Glory rested upon us all. In the bands at Sal- 
ford - 9 I have seen as many as seven or eight saved in a 
meeting. Full salvation, quite clear, is the order oi 
the day. Praise the Lord ! I^io hope the work will 
reach fhe wicked ; O may I see this as in former days ! 
In entering into my own country, near my native place , 
you cannot conceive what a number of invitations I 
have had to preach anniversary sermons, and school 
sermons, &c, &.c. As it is my confirmed opinion that 
the cause of God is exceedingly suffering on the ground 
of such visits, I have given them all up. Give my 
love to all the preachers, and to the members of your 
society. 

" Your ever affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER LXXIII. 
To his Son. 

" Salford, Dec. 23, 1817. 
" My Dear John,— I received your kind letter, 
with love and praise to God our heavenly Father, that 
you are preserved in health, and I hope in stronger 
resolution to live to Him who suffered for us ! — You 
know that we are every moment dependent upon him 
for all things. ' We live, and move, and have our be- 
ing in him.' Yet all is of God. To be clear in pardon 
for all our sins,— -to be pure in heart, — to live in love, 
this is heaven on earth. What is all the world com- 
pared with this 1 We are easy, which way soever we 
look, All is calm. Eternity only increases our happi- 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 221 

ness ; yea even death has lost his sting : all is joy, * 
and the utmost delight. To live in profession is so far 
well. But to enjoy the kingdom, — to live in God, — to 
have union with him, — to bear his image, — to glorify 
our God, — and finish the work, — this is our grand 
business on earth. 

"I never had so strong a desire that you may live 
for eternal glory. I pray for it continually. I am with 
you sleeping and waking. O let me be with you for 
ever ! If you give yourself to pleading prayer, all will 
be done ; especially if you come to God through the 
Mediator, all will be given you. Be importunate, and 
say, ' I will not let thee go.' To be great in this world 
is nothing ; but to be great in the sight of Jehovah, — 
to be proclaimed in heaven as great, — to be crowned 
with glory and had in everlasting remembrance with 
God, — to unite with me in contemplating the divine 
perfections, — and to stand before the throne, — how 
glorious ! O the company ! the enjoyment ! the dura- 
tion ! — I am lost in wonder and astonishment: the 
foretaste of that meeting enraptures my soul. I long 
for that situation ; all immediately, and to all eter- 
nity. Praise him, O ye angels! ye saints of God! ye 
glorified ! 

" Yours affectionately, 

"Wm. Bramwell." 

The two following extracts of letters to his son, show 
that he received warning of his work being nearly 
finished, and contemplated the termination with holy 
composure. 

To the Same. 

" Charles-street, Manchester, January 15, 1818. 
" I am very well at present, but I feel infirmities coir 
ing upon me, and have serious thoughts of giving P 
travelling the next conference." 

******* 

19* 



222 MEMOIR OF 



To the Same, 

« Manchester, April 21, 1818. 
" I have not made public my present state of infirm- 
ity, (I mean the asthma,) which becomes troublesome 
to me in every capacity. I have not made known to 
any person, except * * * * my intention of giving up 
itinerancy. If the Lord see it good, he can lay me 
aside. I shall know what to do. I believe he will 
direct me. I never had greater liberty in preaching, 
and never was more blessed. The will of God be 
done!" 



LETTER LXXIV. 

To Mr. Zechariah Taft. 

" Manchester, April 27, 1818o 
" My Dear Brother, — It has been some time on 
my mind to send you a friendly letter, to speak of my 
situation, and to request an answer. I am more than 
ever given to prayer, and enjoy much more friendship 
with my God. I feel a great desire to be in glory. 
To be cleansed from sin is great ; but to be filled with 
God is much greater. O may I depend upon him for 
every thing, for time and for eternity ! Amen, Lord 
J[esus ! 

" When I came to this circuit, I found I must carry 
heavy weights ; and have had to carry them in much 
silence, and, I hope, with some patience. I want to 
be as the Lamb, ( dumb before the shearers.' In two 
love feasts, I have seen a glorious work : in each, 
twenty souls were brought to God. I see crowded con- 
gregations, and some hundreds have been added. As 
a vast number of children were taken in before I 
ame, numbers have gone back to the world. Young 
P*sons should never be in society without a real work 
°*Vace: I hope ever to abide by this discipline, 
"-again tremble for the connexion ; temporals are 



MR. W. 9RAMWELL. 223 

in a ruinous state. What can be done ? All are fast 
again. Wales is awful. 

" My wife has been dangerously ill, but is greatly 
recQvered. 

" I am your affectionate brother, 

(i Wm. Bramwell/ 



LETTER LXXV. 

To Mr. Reay. 

" Manchester, May 11, I $18. 
'My Dear Brother,— I have this day received 
your letter. It has been my expectation that you would 
frequently hear of us by son George. That, and my 
waiting to find, (if possible,) a time for coining to see 
you, prevented me writing sooner: this is the true 
cause. I am glad for the salvation 'you have lately ex- 
perienced ; you are spared to increase in the love of 
God. Let it be your grand business to receive a full 
reward. We are exceedingly liable, as preachers, to 
lose ourselves in outward business ; I mean, in means, 
forms, &c, and you are liable to lose yourself in worldly 
business, and not to do all things with an eye to God, 
which will prevent the close fellowship, the heaven of 
loving God alone. I could write it twenty times over 
to you, that it is continual prayer, with strong faith, 
which will produce every effect. You know how man) 
slide back in the necessary ordinances. Some by im- 
proper hearing, some by improper prayers; some, in 
singing ; some, in teaching ; many, in sacraments. 
The eye is taken from God, and a want of power runs 
through all the means. Hence we are neither cold nor 
hot. O my dear Reay, be alive, be a man of God, be 
in the Spirit, be a flame of heavenly fire. Burn, yea 
burn for God and for souls. I know your station ; I 
know you will he shot at. I know every plan will be 
used to ruin you. Be all on your watch. Suspect 
every thing that does not present the meek and lowly 
Jesus. Have nothing but what he holds forth to you. 



224 MEMOIR OF 

Receive all by Christ, and from Christ. Be satisfied 
in having him for your all. Be clear in full salvation, 
without a doubt. You will then produce deep convic- 
tions in others. I want you to live fully, to live for ever, 
to live in all the glory, and to be changed into it more 
and more. The Lord seal these things upon your 
heart ! Amen ! If I could take hold of your hand, it 
would be the highest gratification to me in Christ Je- 
sus. I am receiving more love ; it comes by dreps after 
agony of prayer. My soul becomes less than ever ; but 
God is all I want, at all times. I have been astonished 
at the power I have received in preaching, and at some 
effects. God is yet with us indeed. Give my love to 
your class and to the society. 

i( I am your affectionate brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell." 



LETTER LXXVI. 
To Mr, Tiirnetl 

" Manchester, June 12, 1818. 

"My Dear Brother, — I waited long, expecting a 
letter from you ; but when I received it, I was glad to 
hear of the goodness of God to you and yours. Salva- 
tion is from the Lord, and we will ascribe all the glory 
to him. He is worthy. I never was so much taken 
up with the Divine perfections as at the present time. 
To dwell in God, is our place whilst on earth ; and 
this is perpetuated by acts of faith. Faith realizes the 
dory ; for though we cannot see, yet we see all things 
in believing, make all that he is our own, and feel all 
the happy effects on the mind. Thus faith changes us 
more and more, we are taken up in the fullest union, 
— * hid with Christ in God/ ready, and always waiting 
to leave this body, • that we may be clothed upon with 
our house in heaven. 5 Glorious company ! Glorious 
place ! I long, I wait for his coming. Come, Lord Je- 
sus ! come quickly ! Amen. 

(i We live in Manchester, in which place we have 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 225 

about six hundred members belonging to Salford cir- 
cuit. I have seen numbers saved since I came. Many 
have received full salvation, and live in clear liberty. 
Many are in distress in temporal things. Wages are 
exceedingly low, so that numbers have little more than 
half meat. It is said that things will mend ; for this I 
pray, because the sympathy is sometimes too great for 
flesh and blood. ■ Father, thy will be done ! Yet, it 
possible, let this cup pass from us!' My wife has had 
her health much better lately, and for this we will praise 
the Lord. Bless the Lord, O my soul ! My brother 
Turnell, there is a dark cloud hangs over the connex- 
ion, as it respects temporal matters. Collections are 
become so numerous, Methodists are engaged in so 
many new things, that it requires great and too great ex- 
ertion to accomplish our own money matters. We are 
all upon the rack, and religion is now too much swal- 
lowed up in other concerns. 1 tremble for Zion. Can 
we return to- our simplicity ? Is it possible ? 

(i I am your very affectionate brother, 

i( Wm, Br am well," 



LETTER LXXVII. 
To his Son. 

" Manchester, July % 1818. 
i( My Dear John, — Believe me, I am more concern- 
ed than ever for your eternal welfare ; for I have lately 
been much impressed with these words, ' I am ready 
to be offered up, and the time for my departure is at 
hand.' I long to say, ' I have fought the good fight, I 
have finished my course, I have kept the faith.' The 
heavenly world is more than ever in my view. O the 
change, the glorious change which must then take 
place ! I feel a considerable degree of asthma, and al- 
though I labour to keep it from public view, yet I have 
found it sometimes very difficult. 

" Your affectionate father, 

f 'WM, Bramwell. 



226 MEMOIR OF 

LETTER LXXVIIL 

To Mrs. Reai/. 

" Manchester, July 16, 1818, 
u My Dear Sister, — Your frequent indisposition 
may have appeared mysterious, both to you and to your 
dear husband, as many of God's works do to us in our 
present state of existence ; and yet we may with the 
utmost confidence pronounce his doings in infinite 
wisdom. It will be to your utmost satisfaction to con- 
tinue in this view and feeling of his proceedings. I 
more than ever wonder at his working ; but can follow 
every wheel with a shout of ' Glory !' Well might the 
morning stars sing together, and all the sons of God 
shout for joy ! He has done all things well. Your sal- 
vation from indwelling evil, I hope, is complete, — your 
receiving the witness of the all-cleansing blood, — your 
being made perfect in love, — your dwelling in God and 
God in you. Then there is no torment, no dread of 
death, eternity, judgment, &c. This view makes all 
calm, and fills the soul with divine consolation. It is 
heaven, already heaven ! Happy, happy spirit ! thy 
guilt is removed and the soul is filled with God. Every 
thing within, without, around, above, beneath, in- 
creases the smile. What is pain ? All is God, and God 
is all. 

" I should be exceedingly glad to see you before 
your flight ; for it mily be suddenly. Your poor flesh 
can only bear a little, very little * but I suppose you 
have no objection. Well, the will of God be done ! 
Remember where you are going. I cannot think of it 
without desire, without joy. O the numbers that are 
waiting for us ! Will not the next meeting swallow up 
all sorrow of parting ? Yea, for ever, for ever. Look 
up, you will shortly be crowned with immortality, with 
eternal life. Yet I am confident that we cannot detach 
any place from God's presence, from the whole. If so, 
bis glory is here, at Carville, the same as in heaven. 



MR. W. BRAMWELL, 



227 



And we may live in that glory here. Faith brings 
it in, and increases it even so much that we feel chang- 
ed into it more and more. I now live in this glory 
more than ever, and am waiting to meet you, to receive 
my glorious body, that we may see face to face what 
we all now are only able to see by faith. The change 
will astonish us, will astonish all the saints in glory, 
We ought to do nothing in this world, but as a help to 
this glory ; and if we esteem any thing, merely to serve 
the body, to the injury of the soul, we thereby prove 
that we prefer the body to the soul. The Lord be with 
you in affliction, in health, (if permitted,) in life and 
in death. Amen, and Amen ! 

" I am your affectionate friend and brother, 

" Wm. Bramwell/' 



CHAPTER XV. 

Mr. Bramwell's arrival at Leeds — His attendance on the busi- 
ness of conference— His conversation, preaching, and the 
circumstances of his death — His funeral. 

The writer of this memoir is indebted to a friend for 
the following account of Mr. Bramwell's short residence 
in Leeds, — a subject the recollection of which will 
long excite the most powerful sympathies in the minds 
of those who were concerned in the affecting closing 
scene. 

u Mr. Bramwell's last journey commenced on the 
twenty-eighth day of July, in the year 181S. On the 
morning of that day, he took a place in the Manchester 
coach, and proceeded to the house of his affectionate 
friend, Mr. Sigston, of Queen-Square, Leeds, his usual 
place of abode whenever his duty called him to sojourn 
in that town, or to pass through it. His host and host- 
ess possessed views and feelings congenial to his own, 
being warm admirers of his piety, and imitators of that 
zeal and devotedness for which he was greatly distin- 
guished. In their society he always appeared to be at 



228 MEMOIR OP 

home ; and those happy, edifying interviews which many 
religious friends enjoyed with him in Mr. Sigston's 
house, will never be erased from their recollection. 

" It was on the evening of the same day, that he 
arrived at this favourite abode. He came there for the 
purpose of attending on his duties in conference, which 
was held that year at Leeds. The series of letters 
presented to the reader, will have evinced the solicit- 
ude which, as a Methodist minister, he uniformly felt 
for the affairs of the connexion. The financial embar* 
rassments under which the body had been labouring 
for some years, were lamented by him, because he 
thought they might in a great measure have been 
avoided ; and they were a farther subject of grief to 
him, on account of their being real hinderances to the 
planting of the gospel in other places. Economy in 
expenditure, and less of worldly show and costly orna- 
ment in our places of public worship, were at once the 
preventives and the cures which he prescribed for this 
malady. But his great concern was not about outward 
things : he thought much and deeply about the inward 
declension which he feared was too perceptible in the 
modern race of Methodists. He longed to see the 
restoration of all that ancient simplicity, that genuine 
attachment to the Redeemer, and that unaffected 
charity for all men, which were the characteristics of 
the early professors. These circumstances, connected 
with the temporal and spiritual prosperity of Method- 
ism, compelled him to a close attendance during the 
sittings of conference, that he might hear every thing 
which was suggested for the mitigation of existing evils, 
and that he might contribute his portion of advice, 
which he always gave with modesty and firmness. 

" In the intervals between each of the sittings, he 
enjoyed himself at his friend's house in conversation 
that was at once exhilarating and profitable. At such 
moments he shone as the enlightened minister and the 
pleasing companion. His presence communicated 
both delight and edification; and it is the declaration 
of his host, that if Mr. Bramwell had previously received 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 229 

ft sure intimation that his earthly existence would ter- 
minate so soon and suddenly as it has done, he could 
not have conducted himself with more of that dignified 
propriety, and innocent cheerfulness, which become a 
minister of grace, and an heir of heaven. Indeed, this 
had always been his character, when in former times 
he had passed many happy days at Mr. Sigston's house : 
but it was the more remarkable at this period, for ' his 
conversation was eminently in heaven, from whence he 
was looking for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ*' 
All his sayings appeared to possess a divine power. 
Such a mature strength of zeal, tempered^ with Chris- 
tian affability and gentleness, has seldom been witness- 
ed. He was ' filled with the Spirit ;' and exhibited to 
the view of all around him a heavenly specimen of a 
finished character. One of his brethren, who sat near 
him during the whole conference, the business of which 
was often of a very trying description, has said that Mr, 
Bramwell appeared constantly to act and live under a 
lively conviction of these words, c Thou, God, seest 
me!' 

" One afternoon during the conference, he took tea 
with his old friend Mr. Baiston, in company with seve- 
ral other preachers. In the course of conversation, it 
was observed how difficult it was to station those preach- 
ers who had large families. Mr. Bramwell said with 
much solemnity, ' I think some of us ought to pray that 
God would be pleased soon to grant us a station in 
heaven !' 

" A few days before he died, clasping his hands to- 
gether, and lifting his eyes up to heaven, he said, ' O 
the blessed, blessed state of that man of God, Mr. Blag- 
borne, when he was about to depart ! I saw him in 
London a short time prior to his death, when he exclaim- 
ed with great joy, Glory, glory be to God, who has 
made me fully ready for my change !' 

" A friend calling upon him one day, inquired where 
his station for the following year was fixed. Mr. Bram- 
well replied, c My brethren have appointed me to return 
to Salford. But I tell them they will never have ano- 

20 



230 MEMOIR OF 

ther opportunity to give me an earthly station ; for it is 
my intention to be in heaven before next confer- 
ence. I am hastening to that better country as rapidly 
as I am able.' 

"On another occasion, an intimate friend meeting 
with him in the yard of the old chapel, walked with 
him, and complimented him on his being chosen chair- 
man of the Manchester district; adding with an air of 
pleasantry, 6 that he hoped his elevation would not turn 
his head.' Mr. Bramwell smiled, and, without seem- 
ing to have heard a syllable of what had been uttered, 
fixed his eyes upon his friend, and said in a very em- 
phatic tone of voice, c O brother, live to God !' Imme- 
diately afterwards, his attention was called off by some 
other friends. This one object he had perpetually in 
sight, — to exhort every one with whom he conversed, 
to prepare for the complete enjoyment of the inherit- 
ance of the saints in light. He could assure all his 
friends from his own experience, that nothing was so 
delightful as to live under a constant sense of God's 
presence, and to do all things with a regard to his 
glory. 

" During his stay in Leeds, he preached a few times 
in the neighbouring villages. On Sunday evening, 
August the 2d, he was at Woodhouse, and delivered 
an affecting discourse from Phil, i, 8-10, 'For God is 
my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bow- 
els of Jesus Christ. And this I pray, that your love 
may abound yet more and more, in knowledge and in 
all judgment : that you may approve things that are 
excellent ; that ye may be sincere and without offence, 
till the day of Christ.' Little did his friends and the 
congregation suppose, when they heard his animated 
exhortation for the ' abounding of their love in know- 
ledge and judgment,' that it would be the last time of 
their being favoured with his faithful admonitions. He 
dilated much on ' the day of Christ,' and cried out with 
a fervency peculiar to himself, ' My heart's desire and 
prayer to God is that I may meet all my Yorkshire 
friends in glory!' He most affectionately entreated 






MR. W. BRAMWELL. 231 

believers to wrestle and strive for the attainment of the 
great salvation. After the conclusion of the service, 
a prayer meeting was held ; several zealous friends 
engaged in prayer, and Mr. Bramwell seemed to expe- 
rience a kind of ecstatic delight in that season of social 
worship. 

Being only a few miles distant from Westgate Hill, 
the residence of his daughter, on Saturday, the eighth 
of August, he went to see her and the family, and 
preached in the village on Sunday afternoon, to a 
crowded congregation. His text was 1 John iv, 16-18, 
' And we have known and believed the love that God 
hath to us. God is love ; and he that dwelleth in love, 
dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love 
made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of 
judgment : because as he is, so are we in this world. 
There is no fear in love ; but perfect love casteth out 
fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is 
not made perfect in love.' His sermon was very expe- 
rimental, and he urged all his hearers to press into this 
life of God, — the dwelling in love. He spoke in a 
powerful manner on the ' boldness' with which a believ- 
er is inspired through Christ, ' in the day of judgment ;'* 
and in the course of his second prayer, he uttered 
these remarkable expressions, * Lord, didst thou not 
this day speak to my heart, and say. Thou shalt soon 
be with me to behold my glory V A great number of 
friends afterwards took tea with him at the house of his 
daughter Hargreaves. He commenced an interesting 
conversation with them, on the subject of prayer, in 
which he observed, ' The devil hates prayer ; and if by 
any means he can prevail with us either to neglect this 
duty, or to be less fervent in it, he gains his purpose. 
Sometimes business will call off our attention, and we 
neglect it once in the day : at night we reflect on our 
folly, and lament our loss, resolving, if spared, to be 
more diligent on the morrow. We sometimes attend 
to the hours which we have set apart for the perform- 
ance of this duty; but our hearts are not there, they 
are wandering to the ends of the earth. At other times 



232 MEMOIR OF 

we are conscious of having done some evil, whici* 
Causes us to be ashamed of appearing at the footstool of 
our heavenly Father. Thus, by one means or another. 
Satan obtains his desire, and afterwards reproves us 
for it. But when we live in a habit of constant, fer- 
vent prayer, our grand enemy flies, and our souls pros- 
per.' Mr. Clapham, one of the company, having risen 
to depart very early, Mr. Bramwell inquired why ho 
was going so soon ; and being told that he had to preach 
at six o'clock, at Drighlington, that evening, Mr. Bram 
well took him by the hand, and, looking at him as 
though he was never to behold him again, said, ' May 
the Lord bless you, my brother Clapham !' 

" On Monday evening, August the 10th, he went to 
Holbeck, and took tea at widow Clarke's, with Di% 
Taft, and Mr. and Mrs. Simpson. He had formerly 
shown a tender concern for the salvation of the pious 
widow's eldest son, and had exacted from him a solemn 
promise that he would endeavour to meet him in hea- 
ven. They afterwards covenanted together to pray for 
each other ; and the youth continued to fulfil his part 
of the obligation till Mr. Bram well's death, and remains 
to this day a steady member of society. He spent a 
very agreeable afternoon with the family, and the 
friends who had come to meet him. He prayed with 
them four or five times, and was very lively and zeal- 
ous. Some of the friends asked him if the seven years 
had not expired which conference prescribes, before a 
preacher can be again appointed to a circuit in which 
he formerly travelled. ' Yes,' said the man of God, 
with a heavenly smile, ' but I feel as if my next appoint- 
ment would be for heaven.' The same evening, at 
seven o'clock, he preached to an attentive and over- 
flowing congregation, from Isaiah xliii, 1-3, ' But now 
thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he 
that formed thee, O Israel, fear not; for I have redeem- 
ed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art 
mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will 
be with thee ; and through the rivers, they shall not 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 238 

overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fife, 
thou shalt not be burnt ; neither shall the flame kindle 
upon thee. For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One 
of Israel, thy Saviour.* This was the last text which 
Mr. Br am well was permitted to choose, and he spoke 
from it as a dying mjin^to dying men. Great unction 
and power attended the word. Many were encouraged 
to trust yet more confidently in the promise of God, 
who had declared he would be with them when pass- 
ing through the fire, and through the water. Every 
person that heard him, remarked the solid grounds of 
comfort w T hich in this discourse he held out to others, 
and entertained no doubt of his feeling their powerful 
influence on his own spirit, called as he was, so soon 
afterwards, to ascertain their sufficiency in his personal 
experience. He prayed with uncommon fervour at the 
conclusion of the sermon ; and in this manner termi- 
nated at Holbeck, the last of his public labours ! 

" On Wednesday in the same week, after attending 
the last sitting of conference a short time, he left his 
brethren about seven o'clock in the evening, and re- 
paired to the house of his friend, that he might com- 
plete several little arrangements for his departure on 
the following morning. Mr. Sigston saw him come 
across the yard, and says that he advanced with a firm 
and agile step, like a young man in the bloom of health 
and buoyancy of spirits. 

" That evening he expected the arrival of his son 
«Fohn by coach, from Durham. When he had finished 
all his intended preparations, two young men were 
despatched into the town to await the arrival of the 
north coaches, which generally reach Leeds between 
nine and ten o'clock. On their return, they informed 
Mr. Bramwell, that his son was not arrived, but that 
they had met with a gentleman at the coach who had 
seen Mr. Bramwell, jun. the Saturday preceding, and 
he had not intimated to him any intention of coming to 
Leeds. At this Mr. Bramwell seemed somewhat dis- 
appointed, till Mr. Sigston reminded him that he had 

20* 



234 MEMOIR OF 

heard him say his son would be in Leeds on Thursday 
evening, and that night was only Wednesday. He ac- 
knowledged that he had said this, and that Thursday 
was indeed the proper day for his son's arrival. He 
appeared much surprised at the mistake which he had 
made, and said, 'Dear, dear+ of what have I been 
thinking V His kind host then earnestly begged of him 
to remain a day longer ; but he would not agree to do 
this, as he had previously promised his Salford friends 
that he would be with them on Thursday evening. 

" During the remainder of the evening he was quite 
cheerful, and entered readily into conversation on va- 
rious topics. Mr. William Dobson called to take leave 
of him. Whilst the family were at supper, Mr. Bram- 
well made many spiritual remarks, and regretted that 
he had been prevented from seeing several of his Leeds 
friends, for whom he had formerly felt a great regard ; 
he particularly mentioned Messrs. Benjamin and Mi- 
chael Sadler. Immediately after supper, raising one 
hand, and looking upwards, he said with a pleasing 
smile on his countenance, ' It strikes me that one of 
us will be gone in three or four months.' On which 
Mrs. Sigston observed, ' If it should be Mr. Bramwell, 
we should say, Who could have thought it, as he look- 
ed so well at conference?' Mr. Bramwell then said, 
- Several of my friends have died of apoplexy, and I 
expect to go in the same way.' Mrs. Sigston replied^ 
* Perhaps you desire such a mode of dying, Mr. Bram- 
well V He smiled, but made no reply. Mrs. Sigston 
rejoined, ' If such is your wish, the Lord will undoubt- 
edly grant your request.' In a little time he prayed 
with the family, after which Mr. Dobson retired. 

"Knowing that he intended to rise about half past 
two o'clock next morning, to go by the first coach to 
Manchester, Mr. Sigston endeavoured to prevail on him 
to retire ; but he said he could not till he had seen Mr. 
Nelson : who had promised to bring him an account of 
the termination of business in conference, about which 
he seemed to be much interested. As it was then late, 



&R. W. BRAMWELL 285 

Mrs. Sigston took her leave of him, and hinted that she 
would probably see him before he set off in the morn- 
ing. But he particularly requested that she might not 
be disturbed at that early hour. He and Mr. Sigston, 
being then 16ft alone, had much edifying conversation, 
at the close of which Mr. Bramwell intimated adistani 
intention of sitting up all night, as it was then late- 
To this his friendly host objected, and pleasantly re- 
marked, 'We must have no sitting up here! 5 They 
both sat together some time longer on the sofa, till Mr. 
Nelson arrived, who took a little supper, and related 
very circumstantially to Mr. Bramwell all the final pro- 
ceedings of conference. Mr. Nelson withdrew soon 
afterwards ; and when Mr. Bramwell had conversed a 
few minutes with his friend, he took the bed candle- 
stick, which had been placed for him, bade farewell 
most affectionately to Mr. Sigston and commended him 
to God with peculiar fervour. A servant sat up, who 
was directed to call him at half past two o'clock, and 
to provide him with some comfortable refreshment be- 
fore his departure. 

" After he had entered his chamber, Mr. Johnson, 
one of the teachers who slept in the opposite room, 
heard him praying most fervently, and, amongst other 
petitions, he recollects the following sentence, which 
was repeated several times, 'OLord, prepare me for 
thy kingdom and take me to thyself!' Mr. Johnson was 
awakened again about two o'clock in the morning, by 
the fervent prayers of Mr. Bramwell, when he heard 
him frequently offering up this supplication, ' Lord^. 
bless my soul and make me ready !' At half past two 
o'clock precisely, he came down stairs, without having 
been called, and took his coffee and bread and butter, 
with as good an appetite as usual. During the time of 
this early repast, he very often lifted up his hands and 
his eyes, and with great earnestness said, ' Praise the 
Lord ! Glory be to God!' &,c. He then said to the 
servant, ' We will pray a little.' They knelt down ; 
^nd he prayed very fervently for himself, for her ? and 



236 MEMOIR OF 

tor the whole family, beseeching God that she, as well 
as himself, might be fully ripened and made ready for 
heaven. After this she went to open the yard door, 
and he immediately followed her, shook hands with 
her, and said, e The Lord bless you, Alice !' He de- 
parted ; she locked the door after him, and returned 
into the house. This was about three o'clock ; and. 
before she had time to undress herself, she heard some 
person knocking at the yard door. She opened a win- 
dow, and a man said to her, l Has a gentleman left 
your house this morning V She replied, ' Yes.' The 
man* then said, ' I believe he is dying in the lane.' 
She alarmed the family, several of the members of 
which instantly ran down into the lane. She also ran ; 
shrieked, and kneeling down said, ' Mr. Bramwell ! 
Mr. Bramwell !' She thought that he attempted to 
-peak to her ; but he was not able to articulate any thing 
distinctly. One of the patrole ran for a surgeon ; the 
other, assisted by Mr. Sigston and his young men, con- 
veyed him back to the house. A surgeon arrived in a 

* This person was James Ingham, one of the Leeds night 
patrole. He and his partner, Joseph Geldard, give the follow- 
ing account of this sudden catastrophe : — 

" We belong to the Leeds patrole. In the execution of our 
duty we were going up Woodhouse-lane, a little before three 
o'clock. When we got to Mr. Bramwell he was standing in a 
bending attitude, with his hands upon his knees. I (Ingham) 
said, c My good man ! does something ail you ?' He said, i Yes. 
i am very ill indeed. Take hold of me, watch I' I immediately 
took hold of him on one side, and told my comrade to take hold 
of the other. I then asked him where he came from, and told 
bim we would take him back again. He said, ' I came from Mr. 
Sigston's :' and 1 on my asking where Mr. Sigston lived, he said, 
' A little farther up, on the right hand.' I inquired of him if 
we might take him back again ; he said, * Yes, do if you please.' 
But he took only one step from the ground when he said he* 
could go no farther. He then stood in his former position, say- 
ing he was the easiest in that posture. At last he fell upon his 
knees, and my partner took hold of him, and said to me, * Be 
quick and tell Mr. Sigston.' Mr. Bramwell said, * Yes, do, foj? 
I shall not be long here.* These were the last words which he 
^poke." 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 237 

few minutes afterwards, but, alas ! the vital spark was 
quite extinct. 

" So rapid was this transition from life to death, that 
the language which his friend, Mr. Henry Moore, em- 
ployed on the occasion, appears very just and appropri- 
ate : f We can scarcely call it death. It almost ap- 
pears a translation.' Viewed in this light, while his 
unexpected removal from this state of suffering is re- 
garded as a mysterious providence by his relations, and 
by the church, it may be contemplated as an act of 
divine mercy, as it respected himself. For of the pangs 
of dissolution he was almost unconscious — and they 
were soon over.* 

" It is impossible to give any adequate description oi 
the sensation which the account of Mr. Bramwell's 
sudden death produced on the public mind. He had 
been long known and highly esteemed in Leeds and 
its vicinity, as an able champion in the cause of Christ ; 
and the suddenness of his departure out of this world 
seemed to make every one more deeply sensible of 
those excellencies in his character and conduct, to 
which they had before done ample justice. For few 
preachers ever attracted larger or more attentive audi- 
ences ; and, what is very remarkable, notwithstanding 
his uncommonly faithful admonitions, and his great 
plainness of speech, the ungodly part of mankind flock- 
ed to hear him in preference to a great number of his 
brethren in the ministry. This might be owing, in 
part, to the peculiar earnestness which distinguished 
his delivery in the pulpit, and which such persons 
regarded as a proof of the paramount impression pro- 
duced on his own mind by the grand truths which he 
delivered to others. 

" Many of his brethren, the preachers, had not left 
Leeds, the business of conference having only ended 
at a very late hour the preceding evening ; and they 
testified, in every possible manner, their deep regret 

* On this topic, see Mr. Dawson's very interesting sermon 
preached soon after the mournful occurrence, 



238 MEMOIR OP 

for the loss of such a faithful and affectionate fellow- 
labourer. His relatives determined to have his remains 
removed from Leeds, and to deposit them in the burial 
ground at Westgate Hill. Friday afternoon was the 
time privately fixed upon for the intended removal. 
No notice was given of it, except to the remaining 
preachers, who had expressed a wish to show some 
public mark of respect for Mr. Bramwell's memory : 
yet an immense multitude of serious well dressed peo- 
ple, of different religious denominations, had filled up 
a great part of Woodhouse lane, the road leading to 
Mr. Sigston's dwelling, some time prior to the hearse 
moving off with the body. As soon as it began to 
move from the house a procession was formed, as if 
from impulse, and without previous concert. The tra- 
velling preachers arranged themselves in pairs accord- 
ing to seniority, and followed immediately after the 
body. It was a very affecting spectacle to behold such 
a number of venerable and aged ministers, succeeded 
by their vigorous younger brethren, all uniting by their 
presence to render due honour to the virtues of the 
deceased. Then followed in the same order, a goodly 
company of the local preachers and leaders; and after 
them a promiscuous, but very respectable assemblage 
of private Christians, i The number of attentive and 
deeply interested spectators that lined both sides of the 
road was immense; and before the procession had 
reached the top of Briggate, it had received a very con- 
siderable augmentation both of mourners and beholders, 
who extended from the top to nearly the middle of that 
fine street. Had any public intimation been given 
of the time when Mr. Bramwell's remains would be 
conveyed to Westgate Hill, the crowd would have been 
so great as to impede the free passage of the proces- 
sion. 

"In this solemn manner it moved till it arrived at 
the confines of Holbeck and Wortley, when after a 
very impressive prayer by Dr. Taft the following ap- 
propriate verse was sung : — 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 239 

There all the ship's company meet, 

Who sail'd with their Saviour beneath ; 
With shouting each other they greet, 

And triumph over trouble and death : 
The voyage of life 's at an end, 

The mortal affliction is past : 
The age that in heaven they spend, 

For ever and ever shall last. 

The company then separated, and the hearse conveyed 
the body to the place of its destination. It had been 
previously announced that the interment of Mr. Bram- 
well's remains would take place on the following Sun- 
day. 

" On Sunday, the sixteenth of August, multitudes 
from all parts of the country repaired to Westgate Hill, 
to witness the funeral ceremony of their beloved friend 
and pastor. Several aged people came from some of 
the villages beyond Sheffield, and others from places 
equally distant. 

" Mr. Highfield preached in the area adjoining the 
chapel, to an overwhelming congregation, from Mat- 
thew xxiv, 44, ' Therefore be ye also ready, for in such 
an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh.' The 
body was then committed to the silent grave, amidst 
the sincere lamentations of many thousands present. 
Immediately aferwards, Mr. Nelson and Dr. Taft de- 
livered very solemn and appropriate addresses to the 
deeply affected multitude. 

" This solemn event was improved, the same Sunday 
evening, in all the three Methodist chapels in Leeds, 
and in many of the adjoining circuits ; and on the 
fourteenth of September, a funeral sermon was preach- 
ed by Mr. William Dawson, in the area in front of Mr, 
Sigston's school, and near the place where Mr. Bram- 
well died. Nearly ten thousand persons were assem- 
bled that afternoon, and listened with almost breathless 
attention to the admirable discourse of this engaging 
preacher.* 

* This discourse was soon after published by particular re- 
quest. 



£40 MEMOIR OF 

" A plain tablet, bearing the following neat and un 
assuming inscription, has been erected to his memory 
m the burial ground at Westgate Hill. 

HERE LIETH WHAT WAS EARTHLY 

Of the venerable 
WILLIAM BRAMWELL, 

A chosen, approved, and valiant minister of Christ, 

Who died August 13, A. D. 1818, aged 59. 

Stranger ! when thou approachest this shrine, 

Consecrated to his memory 

By an afflicted family, 

May his ashes still proclaim, what he lived 

To publish, 

' Prepare to meet thy God.' " 



CHAPTER XVI. 

A remarkable dream in reference to Mr. Bramwell — Mr. Ward's 
brief character of him. 

It was the original intention of the author of this 
memoir to have inserted, in this place, a comprehen- 
sive view of the late Mr. Bramwell's character. But a 
detailed character of Mr. Bramwell seems the less ne- 
cessary in this place, because each of the friends who 
contributed to the preceding account, has given his 
own view of particular traits in it, which are correct 
and edifying. 

It has, however, been thought proper to subjoin the 
following remarkable dream, which was related to the 
author by Mr. Henshaw, on the morning of Mr. Bram- 
well's decease. When Mr. Henshaw returned to his 
circuit, he was requested to furnish a statement of it, 
which he did in the following terms : 

" I shall never forget the affecting scene which oc- 
curred on the morning after the last conference closed. 
Passing by your door a few minutes before six o'clock, 
from the house of my hospitable friend, Mr. W. Smith* 
it was announced to me that Mr. Bramwell was dead. 
Overwhelmed with this unexpected and most afflictive 
intelligence, and scarcely thinking it could possibly be 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 



241 



true, I entered the parlour, where I saw the body of 
my friend laid on the sofa, clothed as usual, with a 
pillow under his head, — his eyes closed, his body 
warm, and his features then as perfectly composed as 
if he had been in a sweet sleep, — only ' he breathed 
not' Being left alone in the room with him for some 
time, I had sensations of holy delight, peculiar and in- 
describable. Never before did death to me so appear 
disarmed of terror ; never did the veil which hides the 
blessedness of eternity from our view, seem so thin. I 
seemed to enjoy the sweetest fellowship with his happy 
spirit, and wished myself in his stead. His faithful, 
piercing sermons, his fervent prayers, his holy example, 
his heavenly converse, and the interviews of past years 
rushed on my recollection with uncommon force : and 
then I saw the career of his useful labour and of his 
life, thus easily and happily finished together. I saw 
also, by faith, the beginning of his glorious triumphant 
state, which should continue for ever ; and if a wish 
would have brought him from the skies, to tabernacle 
again in this abode of darkness, pain, and death, I 
could not have offered it. As God had said to Moses,, 
* Get thee up into this mountain and die/ so he seemed 
to have said to this holy man, ' Thy work is done ; leave 
the house of thy friend, and enter into the joy of thy 
Lord.' The behest was obeyed ; and dropping the 
shreds of mortality, he entered into glory. 

■* His death brought to my remembrance a dream 
that I had above twenty years ago. I related it to you ; 
and, it seems you then thought it so remarkable, from 
the reference made in it to Mr. Bramwell, as to request 
ft written account of it. With this request I find great 
difficulty in complying. Dreams in general are such 
odd fantastic things, that they who much regard them 
are justly contemned. Some dreams are, however, 
unquestionably divine ; and many others may be re- 
lated to a few friends by the fireside which it would not 
be proper to make public. To print a dream is a 
serious affair ; I am therefore extremely doubtful as to* 
the propriety of the following appearing before the 

21 



242 MEMOIR OF 

public, although the beneficial effect which it had upon 
my own mind at the time was considerable. I submit 
it, however, wholly to your judgment, as I write it solely 
at your request. 

, <k I told you that soon after the death of that vene- 
rable minister, Mr. Thomas Hanby, in December, 1796, 
I was desired by the society in Nottingham to supply 
his lack of service in the circuit, until the time of con- 
ference. About three months after I had commenced 
this arduous task, one night, in a dream, I saw Mr. 
Wesley enter the house where J then was, dressed ex- 
actly as I had seen him in the pulpit. I thought I at 
once told him of the desire which I felt to devote my- 
self to the service of the Lord, as an itinerant preacher 
in his connexion. He rubbed his hands, and with 
great affability expressed his approbation. As T had 
already hurt my health by loud and violent speaking, 
and had received from different persons very opposite 
directions relative to my mode of delivery in the pulpit, 
it occurred to me to ask the opinion of Mr. Wesley 2 
1 Whether or not I should endeavour to continue that 
earnestness of manner in preaching with which I had 
commenced V He said, ' You know the clergy in gene- 
ral adopt a cool and deliberate method of speaking, 
and do but little good. We must look upon ourselves 
as ministers called of God, out of the ordinary way, to 
awaken a sleepy world to a sense of sin and danger, 
and earnestly to direct all men to Christ : therefore 
labour hard in the pulpit.' I replied, ' But inasmuch 
as conversion can be effected only by the operation of 
the Spirit of God on the hearts of the people, may we 
not expect that operation as much when speaking in a 
cool and deliberate manner, as by the use of the utmost 
warmth and energy of expression V He said, ■ No* 
The Holy Spirit co-operates with the word when it is 
delivered in a warm and earnest manner, and makes 
it effectual to conversion ; as witness William Bram- 
well, although many take him for an enthusiast.' He 
then directed me to read his own journals, and bade 
me farewell. When I awoke it was still night ; and 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 243 

alter musing a long time, I slept again, and thought I 
*saw a friend, to whom I related, with great exactness, 
the interview which I had with Mr. Wesley in a dream, 
and with what benignity he had accepted of me as a 
preacher in his connexion. On awakening a second 
time, I arose and wrote down these particulars. 

" Soon after this period, Mr. Bramweli came on a 
visit to Nottingham, where I saw him for the first 
time at the house of Mr. Tatham. After tea, at his 
request, we all prayed until the time of preaching. 
His text was, 1 Thess. i, 3, ' Your work of faith and 
labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus 
Christ.' This sermon he preached, indeed, with great 
earnestness, and the Lord blessed the word. At a 
prayer meeting held in the chapel after preaching, 
several persons implored mercy aloud and some obtain- 
ed it. When he retired to rest, he spent a great part 
of the night in prayer. The next morning he called 
me up before four o'clock, and we read in the New 
Testament and prayed till five, at which hour a prayer 
meeting was held in Mr. Tatham's kitchen, according 
to notice given on the preceding evening. The room 
was crowded with people ; and it proved a blessed 
season to many. The day was spent in heavenly con- 
versation, and prayer, with different families. In the 
evening he preached again ; the su; ject was sanctifica- 
tion, from 1 Thess. v, 23, 24. The word was spoken 
with great power; and some now living will remember 
it to this day. On the following morning he returned 
to Sheffield. It may well be supposed that the recol- 
lection of the dream and the effect of this visit, would 
make a deep impression on my mind, and produce 
ever afterwards an attentive observation of Mr. Bram- 
welj's conduct. I hope therefore I may* be allowed to 
say, that for genuine religious zeal, a deep spirit of 
devotion, power with God in prayer, self denial, and 
deadness to the world, — for a laborious discharge of 
the general duties of the ministry, faithfulness in re- 
proving sin, and sympathy with the afflicted, — for uni- 
form and entire holiness of life and conversation, and 



244 MEMOIR OF 

successful efforts in the awakening and conversion of 
sinners, and in the building up of believers, — I have 
never seen his superior. May the mantle of this Elijah 
fall on many young Elishas ! : ' 

The author closes this memoir with the following 
brief tribute to several of Mr. BramwelPs excellencies^ 
kindly communicated by Mr. Valentine Ward, who 
was his colleague in two different circuits : 

" My acquaintance with Mr. Bramwell commenced 
immediately after the conference in 1808, when he 
was appointed superintendent of the Liverpool circuit. 
After enjoying the privilege of travelling with him in 
that circuit, and having been separated one year, we had 
again the happiness of being fellow labourers and also 
next door neighbours. 

" Nothing is more common, than for erroneous opin- 
ions to be formed of celebrated men. Accordingly, I 
had involuntarily formed disadvantageous preposses- 
sions concerning our departed friend, which a short 
acquaintance entirely removed. In the first place, I 
expected to find him a snarling cynic, a morose dis- 
turber of Christian cheerfulness, and an interrupter of 
the most innocent conversation. But what was he 
in fact 1 The happy man, — the kind, tender-hearted 
friend, — attentive to every person about him, — and if 
more attentive to one than to another, it was to the 
young or to any one who were in danger of being over- 
looked. He was sufficiently severe to himself, but 
indulgent to others. 

" Another particular in which I found myself mistak- 
en concerning him, was, his conscientiously strict and 
firm adherence to discipline. The language of my 
fears, grounded on vague report, was, that however 
excellent he might be as a preacher, he would be very 
unfit to govern a large society, and that his manage- 
ment of discussions, and his decisions in our various 
official meetings, would be guided more by his own 
feelings, than by rule. But never was any man's con- 
duct more opposed to such a theory. c Thus saith the 
fow/ was his constant observation ; ' we must not^ witt 



MR. W. BRAMWELL. 245 

not go contrary to our rules.' And, I am sure, the 
conviction of his own mind was, that this is the most 
excellent way. 

" No doubt, most or all of your correspondents who 
have travelled with him, will bear testimony to his dili- 
gence. He was a great economist of time. Rising 
early in the morning, he employed every hour of the 
day usefully, either in the duties of the closet, or in 
visiting the sick in body or soul ; advising, comforting, 
or admonishing them as the occasion required. The 
love of immortal souls appeared to be a ruling passion 
in his heart. He had for years been studying the 
soul's immense value, its unending duration, the infi- 
nite price paid to redeem it, its capacity for enjoyment, 
and the danger of its being miserable for ever. And 
having for so long a time pondered these things in his 
heart, his unconstrained language concerning sinners 
seemed always to be, ' If by any means I may gain 
some.' In reference to those already in the good way, 
he could affirm, 4 Now I live, if ye stand fast in the 
Lord.' 

" He was not, as the words are commonly under- 
stood, a great preacher. But if that man is the best 
physician who performs the most cures, that is the best 
preacher who is the instrument of bringing the great- 
est number of souls to God ; and in this view Mr. Bram- 
well will be entitled to rank among the greatest and 
best of Christian ministers. Those who knew him, 
however, and were most competent to form a correct 
judgment concerning him, did not expect to hear from 
him what is called ' a finished discourse.' They were 
prepared to witness the total neglect of some modern 
popular rules of sermonizing. But they did expect to 
hear ' words of fire.' Some striking original observa- 
tions occurred in all his sermons. Old truths of un- 
speakable value and importance, were delivered by him 
with an unction and an emphasis seldom equalled, and 
scarcely ever surpassed. Much might with propriety 
be said of his abhorrence of evil speaking, and of the 
faithful stand which he frequently made against this 
21* 



246 MEMOIR OF WM. BRAMWELL* 

too common and fashionable vice. Often when an 
absent character has been attacked, he has said, e Well, 
we cannot mend him by talking about him here ; let 
us pray for him.' And sometimes he has risen from 
his seat, and declared his determination to leave the 
house if this evil were persisted in. 

" After all that may be said concerning his other 
qualities, nothing will be remembered by his numerous 
friends more readily, or for a longer period, than his 
spirit of prayer. He was indeed a man of God ! Hi? 
flue»t, impressive, fervent, and successful addresses to 
God in the pulpit, the parlour, and by the side of the 
sick bed, — with his sweet spirit of devotion, and his 
deep experience of the love of God, — marked him out 
as one who delighted to enter into his closet, and hold 
sweet communion with the Father of spirits." 



FINIS, 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 

VIr. Bramwell's birth, parentage, and education— His fa 
ther's excellent instructions — Anecdote — The moral qua- 
lities of his youth — Early indisposition — His antipathy 
to settling in Liverpool — Bound apprentice to a currier. 2 

CHAPTER II> 

His convictions — His alarming distress of mind — His acts 
of austerity and mortification — The anguish of his spirit 
injures his health — He receives the sacrament for the 
first time — In that ordinance he obtains a sense of God's 
pardoning love — His great zeal for the honour of God — 
He associates with the church singers, and loses much 
of the consolation which he had felt — He becomes ac- 
quainted with a man of piety — After many conflicts, he 
goes to hear the Methodists, and joins the society 10 

CHAPTER III. 

The grief of Mr. Bramwell's parents when they heard that 
he had become a Methodist — His interview with the Rev. 
John Wesley — Perplexity of mind respecting his call to 
the ministry — He becomes the leader of a class and a 
local preacher — Fruits of his labours — Some account of 
the manner in which he received the blessing of sanctifi- 
cation — An extract on the same subject from the experi- 
ence of the Rev. John Fletcher 23 

CHAPTER IV. 

Mr. Bramwell is called to supply the place of an itinerant 
preacher in Liverpool — He is recalled at the earnest re- 
quest of his Preston friends — He commences business on 
his own account — Is again solicited by Dr. Coke to be- 
come an itinerant preacher — After some consideration, 
he embraces the offer, and begins to travel in the Kent 
circuit — His manner of life, and ardent desire for the 
conversion of sinners — He is again brought into doubt 
respecting his call to the ministry— Preaches at the place 
where seven men were executed— Remarkable dream, . . 33 



348 CONTENTS 



CHAPTER V. 



Mr. Bramwell's marriage— Some misunderstanding with 
Mr. Wesley-— By an extraordinary chain of circumstan- 
ces, he is directed to labour in the Blackburn circuit— 
His continued diligence— The mode of educating his 
children— His appointment to the Colne circuit , 3e> 



CHAPTER VI. 



His removal to the Dewsbury circuit— State of religion in 
that town and neighbourhood — He gives himself to prayer 
~ -The work of God begins to prosper — Ann Cutler is 
rendered useful in the revival — Great numbers convert- 
ed — A remarkable dream — causes of his great popularity 
-Mr. Wesley's rules for a helper . . 46 



CHAPTER VII. 



Mr. Bramwell's labours and success in the Birstal circuit — 
A great revival — Answers to prayer — Reflections on this 
revival. . .* 52 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Mr. Bramwell is stationed in the Sheffield circuit — A great 
revival in that town — His diligence in the work of the 
ministry — His acquirements and the manner in which 
they were applied — Reflections on the improvement of 
time— Anecdotes — Letters 73 



CHAPTER IX. 



Mr. Bramwell's removal to the Nottingham circuit — Un- 
settled state of the society in that place — Great exer- 
tions to procure a place of worship — Remarkable an- 
swers to prayer — Letters — Anecdotes— His conduct as 
a superintendent 104 



CHAPTER X. 



He is appointed to travel in Leeds — His great popularity 
and usefulness — His qualifications for the ministry — Let- 
ters — Some severe trials — Begins to travel in the We- 
therby circuit, and afterwards in Hull — Anecdotes — Let- 
ters 12( 



CHAPTER XI. 



Mr. Bramwell's travels and success in the Sunderland cir- 
cuit — His Christian moderation — Anecdotes— Letters — 
Hi's appointment to the Liverpool circuit— Letters, ., . . 146 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XII. 



Mr. Brain wells appointment a second time to Sheffield— 
His conduct and ministerial success— Remarkable an- 
ecdote—Letters—His second appointment to Birstal — 
His usefulness in that circuit — Letters • l?? 



CHAPTER XIII. 



Mr. Bramwell's labours in London— His indisposition- 
Letters— His removal to Newcastle— Letters 19b 

CHAPTER XIV. 

Mr. Bramwell's appointment to Salford — His zealous la- 
bours — Declining health— Letters 212 

CHAPTER xv. 

Mr. Bramwell's arrival at Leeds — His attendance on the 
business of Conference — His conversation, preaching, 
and the circumstances of his death — His funeral 22? 

CHAPTER XVI. 

A remarkable dream in reference to Mr. Bramwell — Mr. 
Ward's brief character of him 240 



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